Biomechanical Evaluation of Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Techniques

Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) is caused by injury to the lateral collateral ligament complex, usually from elbow dislocation; fracture dislocation, iatrogenic injury, or varus malalignment of the elbow. This is characterized by the external rotation of the radius and ulna in reference to the distal humerus. Further, it is manifested as posterior subluxation of the radial head in relationship to the capitellum with a non-concentrically reduced ulnohumeral joint. Originally described in 1991 [1], PLRI is considered the most common type of chronic elbow instability [2,3] (Figure 1).