Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in posttraumatic elbow release

The purpose of this retrospective cohort comparison study was to determine the effect of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on postoperative range of motion (ROM) in patients undergoing posttraumatic elbow contracture release. Twenty-four consecutive patients underwent elbow arthrolysis. Six patients also underwent simultaneous collateral ligament excision and reconstruction, and 18 did not require ligament excision. All patients followed the same postoperative rehabilitation program. Minimum follow-up was 12 months. Final flexion/extension ROMs were similar in both groups. No subjective reports of postoperative elbow instability occurred in either group. Ligament reconstruction and early postoperative motion can be safely performed in the setting of posttraumatic elbow capsulectomy without sacrificing ROM gain or compromising stability provided by the ligament reconstruction.