Clin Should Elbow.  2011 Dec;14(2):193-198.

The Ulnar Collateral Ligament is Always Torn in the Posterolateral Elbow Dislocation: A Suggestion on the new Mechanism of Dislocation Using MRI Findings

• Rhyou IH
• Lee JH
• Park KJ
• Kang HS
• Kim KW

Abstract

PURPOSE
From the status of ulnar collateral ligament of elbow with magnetic resonance image which suffered with posterolateral dislocation. We would propose the novel mechanism of posterolateral elbow dislocation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between November 2005 and October 2009, we prospectively collected 12 cases of simple posterolateral elbow dislocation. The location of bone contusion and the status of collateral ligament were evaluated with MRI. Collateral ligament was divided in 2 subgroups (distraction type, stripping type). We also defined the disengagement as escaping of conoid process from trochlear notch totally.
RESULTS
From 12 cases, we could found 11 cases of bone contusion in radial head or capitellum. Trochlea and conoid process were always intact without bone contusion. All ulnar collateral ligament ruptures were distraction type instead of all lateral collateral ligament ruptures were stripping type. Translations of all cases were shown those of the ulnar collateral ligament were longer than those of lateral collateral ligament (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We carefully conclude that UCL and surrounding soft tissue has responsibility for the initiation of simple posterolateral elbow dislocation.

MeSH Terms

Collateral Ligaments
Contusions
Dislocations
Elbow
Head
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Prospective Studies
Rupture
Translations
United Nations