Posterolateral Ligament Injuries

Description

This document presents a detailed overview of posterolateral ligament injuries of the elbow, which are common lateral ligament complex injuries often leading to symptoms like elbow locking, lateral elbow pain, and stiffness. It notes that these injuries can occur without a clear history of dislocation, typically following trauma such as falls affecting the hand. Iatrogenic injuries, particularly during procedures for tennis elbow, are also mentioned. The text discusses diagnostic methods, including the pivot shift test, which may not be used on awake patients due to pain, and the posterior drawer sign, a useful and sensitive test. Imaging techniques such as MRI or CT arthrogram can confirm diagnoses, with MRI arthrography being particularly sensitive. Treatment strategies, ranging from surgical reconstruction to conservative management like physiotherapy, are explored, emphasizing the significance of the posterolateral ligament in maintaining elbow stability. Additionally, associated conditions such as the Osborne cotterell lesion are addressed, highlighting their potential to cause persistent instability requiring surgical intervention.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251122

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