Ligamentous reconstruction around the elbow using triceps tendon

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Posttraumatic elbow instability can stem from osseous or ligamentous damage.
• Ligamentous instability presents as valgus or posterolateral rotatory instability.
• Persistent insufficiency necessitates surgical reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a new technique for elbow ligament reconstruction.
• To evaluate the efficacy of using ipsilateral triceps tendon grafts.
• To compare this technique with previous methods.

Main Methods:

• Utilized ipsilateral triceps tendon as graft material.
• Secured grafts in bony drill holes with bioabsorbable interference screws.
• Employed an accelerated rehabilitation protocol.

Main Results:

• The new technique simplifies graft tensioning and enhances fixation.
• It mitigates the risk of bony tunnel fracture.
• Short-term results are promising, dependent on reconstruction quality and joint condition.

Conclusions:

• The described triceps tendon graft technique offers an improved approach to elbow ligament reconstruction.
• This method facilitates easier graft handling and secure fixation.
• Further evaluation is warranted, but initial results suggest clinical potential.