The recurrent unstable elbow: diagnosis and treatment

The elbow is a difficult joint to treat because of the subtle nuances involved in pathology, examination, and treatment. Patients experiencing the sequelae of recurrent elbow instability can lose substantial function in the affected upper extremity. Elbow instability comprises a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from valgus instability in the throwing athlete to traumatic recurrent rotatory instability to iatrogenic damage. For the orthopaedic surgeon to develop a systematic algorithm for treating elbow instability disorders, it is necessary to understand the basic elbow biomechanics and the alterations that occur in the unstable elbow. A thorough knowledge of the history, physical examination techniques, and imaging studies necessary to diagnose these injury patterns is also needed. Cutting-edge advances in the surgical reconstruction of the unstable elbow will allow those caring for patients with these difficult injuries to make the proper management decisions.