Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture

Background: The pathoanatomy and biomechanics of elbow instability have been previously reported; however, few researchers have dealt with the operative management and clinical consequence of recurrent elbow instability. Recent studies on arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex repair...

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Main Authors: Joong-Bae Seo, Hyung-Suk Yi, Kyu-Beom Kim, Jae-Sung Yoo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-03-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2309499020908348
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author Joong-Bae Seo
Hyung-Suk Yi
Kyu-Beom Kim
Jae-Sung Yoo
author_facet Joong-Bae Seo
Hyung-Suk Yi
Kyu-Beom Kim
Jae-Sung Yoo
author_sort Joong-Bae Seo
collection DOAJ
description Background: The pathoanatomy and biomechanics of elbow instability have been previously reported; however, few researchers have dealt with the operative management and clinical consequence of recurrent elbow instability. Recent studies on arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex repair have reported successful outcomes similar to those achieved by open repair. We aimed to determine the validity of arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex in elbows with unstable dislocation with or without intra-articular fracture. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients who had undergone arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex for unstable dislocation of the elbow with or without intra-articular fracture and who were followed for at least 12 months were included in the study. Ligament injury combined with coronoid and/or radial head fractures were treated with arthroscopic technique. Pain, range of motion, clinical outcomes based on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and surgical complications were evaluated. Results: At 12 months follow-up, all 18 patients demonstrated complete settlement of the instability and mean (and standard deviation) extension of 1.7 ± 3.8°, flexion of 138.3 ± 3.8°, supination of 88.6 ± 5.3°, and pronation of 88.2 ± 5.6°. The average MEPS was 97.7 ± 3.9 points and according to this validated outcome score. However, slight widening (2 mm) of the radiocapitellar joint space was accompanied in one patient, although the varus stress test and pivot shift test were not observed. One patient showed delayed union of the anteromedial facet fracture, and two patients showed pin site irritation, which was a complication of arthroscopic coronoid fracture fixation and was fully resolved after pin removal. Conclusion: In patients with unstable elbow dislocation, with or without an intra-articular fracture, arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex is an effective and alternative treatment option that can restore elbow stability and have satisfactory clinical and radiographic results.
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spelling doaj.art-7e8df680ee164a2395e0ac31307c18422022-12-21T23:07:49ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery2309-49902020-03-012810.1177/2309499020908348Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fractureJoong-Bae SeoHyung-Suk YiKyu-Beom KimJae-Sung YooBackground: The pathoanatomy and biomechanics of elbow instability have been previously reported; however, few researchers have dealt with the operative management and clinical consequence of recurrent elbow instability. Recent studies on arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex repair have reported successful outcomes similar to those achieved by open repair. We aimed to determine the validity of arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex in elbows with unstable dislocation with or without intra-articular fracture. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients who had undergone arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex for unstable dislocation of the elbow with or without intra-articular fracture and who were followed for at least 12 months were included in the study. Ligament injury combined with coronoid and/or radial head fractures were treated with arthroscopic technique. Pain, range of motion, clinical outcomes based on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and surgical complications were evaluated. Results: At 12 months follow-up, all 18 patients demonstrated complete settlement of the instability and mean (and standard deviation) extension of 1.7 ± 3.8°, flexion of 138.3 ± 3.8°, supination of 88.6 ± 5.3°, and pronation of 88.2 ± 5.6°. The average MEPS was 97.7 ± 3.9 points and according to this validated outcome score. However, slight widening (2 mm) of the radiocapitellar joint space was accompanied in one patient, although the varus stress test and pivot shift test were not observed. One patient showed delayed union of the anteromedial facet fracture, and two patients showed pin site irritation, which was a complication of arthroscopic coronoid fracture fixation and was fully resolved after pin removal. Conclusion: In patients with unstable elbow dislocation, with or without an intra-articular fracture, arthroscopic repair of the LCL complex is an effective and alternative treatment option that can restore elbow stability and have satisfactory clinical and radiographic results.https://doi.org/10.1177/2309499020908348
spellingShingle Joong-Bae Seo
Hyung-Suk Yi
Kyu-Beom Kim
Jae-Sung Yoo
Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
title Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
title_full Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
title_fullStr Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
title_full_unstemmed Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
title_short Clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra-articular fracture
title_sort clinical outcomes of arthroscopic lateral ulnar collateral ligament repair with or without intra articular fracture
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2309499020908348
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