The document summarizes the biomechanics of the elbow joint. It discusses the static and dynamic stabilizers of the elbow, including the primary static constraints of the ulnohumeral articulation, anterior bundle of the MCL, and lateral collateral ligament complex. It also describes the osteology and articular surfaces of the elbow joint and how flexion and extension enhance osseous stability. Key soft tissues like the medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes are explained. The roles of the coronoid process, radial head, and muscles in dynamic stabilization are highlighted. Joint forces at the elbow are distributed between the ulnohumeral and radiocapitellar joints.
2. Stability of the elbow - static and dynamic constraints
3 primary static constraints
Ulnohumeral articulation,
the anterior bundle of the MCL
the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex
4 Secondary constraints
Radiocapitellar articulation,
the common flexor tendon,
the common extensor tendon,
the capsule.
Dynamic stabilizers - Muscles that cross the elbow joint
3. Osteoarticular anatomy
The articular surfaces of the
elbow joint
distal humerus,
the proximal ulna,
proximal radius are
The elbow
-trochleogingylomoid joint
hinged (ginglymoid) motion in
flexion and extension at the
ulnohumeral and radiocapitellar
articulations
radial (trochoid) motion in
pronation and supination at the
proximal radioulnar joint
4. Osseous stability - enhanced
in flexion
coronoid process locks into the
coronoid fossa of the distal
humerus
radial head is contained in the
radial fossa of the distal humerus
Osseous stability - enhanced
in extension
the tip of the olecranon rotates
into the olecranon fossa.
The sublime tubercle is the
attachment site for the anterior
bundle of the MCL.
5. Capsuloligamentous anatomy
The static soft tissue
stabilizers
the anterior and posterior
joint capsule
the medial and LCL
complexes.
The collateral ligament
complexes are medial and
lateral capsular thickenings
6. The MCL complex
3 components:
the anterior bundle or
anterior MCL,
the posterior bundle,
the transverse ligament
The origin of the MCL is at
the anteroinferior surface
of the medial epicondyle.
7. AMCL
inserts on the anteromedial
aspect of the coronoid process,
the sublime tubercle.
Provide significant stability
against valgus force
one of the primary static
constraints of the elbow
The anterior bundle - divided
into anterior band posterior
band
8. The transverse ligament
Runs between the coronoid and the tip of the olecranon
consists of horizontally oriented fibers that often cannot be
separated from the capsule
9. The LCL complex
four components
radial collateral ligament,
the lateral ulnar collateral ligament,
the annular ligament,
the accessory collateral ligament
The LCL complex originates along
the inferior surface of the lateral
epicondyle.
10. dynamic stabilization
Muscles that cross the elbow joint
Four groups
Elbow flexors,
Elbow extensors,
Forearm flexor-pronators,
Forearm extensors.
12. ELBOW BIOMECHANIC
Pronation-supination
The radiocapitellar and proximal radioulnar joints
The normal range of forearm rotation is 180 with
pronation of 80 to 90 and supination of ~ 90
Most ADL can be accomplished with
100 of forearm rotation
(50 of pronation and 50 of supination)
13. The normal axis of forearm rotation - the center of the radial
head to the center of the distal ulna
axis of rotation shifts slightly ulnar and volar during
supination
shifts radial and dorsal during pronation
The radius moves proximally with pronation distally with
supination
14. Forearm rotation - important role in stabilizing the elbow,
especially when the elbow is moved passively.
With passive flexion, the MCL deficient elbow is more stable
in supination,
whereas the LCL-deficient elbow is more stable in pronation
in coronoid fractures that involve more than 50% of the
coronoid with or without an intact MCL
15. Coronoid
The coronoid process -key role in stabilization of the elbow.
‘‘terrible triad,’’
elbow dislocation
radial head and
coronoid fractures.
Fractures involving > 50% of the coronoid shows significantly
increased varus-valgus laxity, even in the setting of repaired
collateral ligaments
The coronoid plays a significant role in posterolateral stability in
combination with the radial head.
16. Soft tissues that attach to the base of the coronoid include
Anteriorly- Insertion of the anterior capsule and brachialis
Medial- insertion of the MCL.
17. Proximal radius
The radial head is an important secondary
valgus stabilizer of the elbow (30%)
more important for valgus stability in the presence of
MCL deficiency
Radial head excision also increases varus-valgus Laxity
and posterolateral rotatory instability, regardless of
whether the collateral ligaments are intact
18. Soft tissue stabilization
Medial collateral ligament complex
AMCL is the primary constraint for valgus and posteromedial
stability
The anterior band of the AMCL - more vulnerable to valgus stress
when the elbow is extended,
The posterior band - more vulnerable when the elbow is flexed.
Complete division causes valgus and internal rotatory instability
throughout the complete arch of flexion with
maximal valgus instability at 70
maximal rotational instability at 60
19. LCL complex
The LCL is the primary constraint of external rotation
and varus stress at the elbow.
complete sectioning causes varus and posterolateral
rotatory instability and posterior radial head subluxation
The flexion axis of the elbow passes through the origin
of theLCL so that there is uniform tension in the
ligament throughout the arc of flexion.
20. damage to the LCLcomplex is the initial injury seen along the
continuum of injuries resulting from elbow dislocation
In Lateral surgical approaches to the elbow for radial head
fixation or replacement.
As long as the annular ligament is intact, the radial collateral
ligament or the lateral ulnar collateral ligament can be cut
and repaired without causing instability
21. Muscles
Muscles that cross the elbow joint act as
dynamic stabilizers as they compress the joint.
Compression of the elbow joint by the muscles protects
the soft tissue constraints.
throwing an object can cause a valgus stress that is
greater than the failure strength of the MCL.
The flexor-pronator muscle group contracts during the
throwing motion and provides dynamic stabilization to
the medial aspect of the elbow, which protects the MCL
from injury
22. Joint forces
significant compressive and shear forces at the elbow Loads across
the elbow - distributed
43% across the ulnohumeral joint and
57% across the radiocapitellar joint
Joint reaction forces vary with elbow position.
Force transmission at the radiocapitellar joint is Greatest between
0 and 30 of flexion and is greater in pronation than in supination.
elbow - extended, the overall force on the ulnohumeral joint is
concentrated at the coronoid
elbow - flexed, the force moves toward the olecranon