Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability

Hypothesis: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow is commonly treated with open lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction techniques. This cohort study evaluates the efficacy of a less invasive arthroscopic LCL imbrication technique for reducing grade I or II PLRI. Methods:...

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Main Authors: Christos Koukos, MD, PhD, Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD, Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, MD, Michael Kotsapas, MD, Kerem Bilsel, MD, PhD, Fredy Montoya, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:JSES International
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004353
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author Christos Koukos, MD, PhD
Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD
Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, MD
Michael Kotsapas, MD
Kerem Bilsel, MD, PhD
Fredy Montoya, MD, PhD
author_facet Christos Koukos, MD, PhD
Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD
Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, MD
Michael Kotsapas, MD
Kerem Bilsel, MD, PhD
Fredy Montoya, MD, PhD
author_sort Christos Koukos, MD, PhD
collection DOAJ
description Hypothesis: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow is commonly treated with open lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction techniques. This cohort study evaluates the efficacy of a less invasive arthroscopic LCL imbrication technique for reducing grade I or II PLRI. Methods: Forty-three patients with stage 1 or 2 PLRI, unresponsive to conservative therapy, were included. Diagnoses were based on chronic post-traumatic pain (11 patients), chronic atraumatic lateral elbow pain (20), and previous open tennis elbow surgery (12). Following clinical and arthroscopic diagnosis confirmation, the LCL imbrication technique was performed. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score and range of motion (ROM) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively, with a minimum 12-month follow-up (range 12-48 months). Results: The Mayo Elbow Performance Score increased significantly from a median of 45 points preoperatively to 90 (range 80-100) at 3 months and 95 (range 80-100) at 12 months follow-up (P < .001). Postoperative median flexion reached 140°, and extension was 0°. At 12 months, 2 patients experienced a 10° extension deficit; 95.3% (41 of 43) achieved full ROM. Knot irritation occurred in 4 patients (out of the first 10 of this cohort, 9.3%), 3 of them requiring knot removal. Switching to a polydioxanone 1 suture eliminated this complication. One patient underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis for adhesions after 14 months. Conclusion: Arthroscopic LCL imbrication offers favorable outcomes for grade I or II PLRI from the third postoperative month with minimal complications. A slight restriction in ROM and transient knot discomfort were the main issues, the latter resolved by switching to a thinner polydioxanone suture.
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spelling doaj-art-527654a72d5841568e46d53f568f1c852025-01-12T05:26:05ZengElsevierJSES International2666-63832025-01-0191255259Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instabilityChristos Koukos, MD, PhD0Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD1Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, MD2Michael Kotsapas, MD3Kerem Bilsel, MD, PhD4Fredy Montoya, MD, PhD5Sports, Trauma and Pain Institute, Thessaloniki, GreeceFirst Orthopaedic Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “Georgios Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece; Corresponding author: Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD, First Orthopaedic Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, “Georgios Papanikolaou” Hospital, Kosti Palama 10, Peuka, Thessaloniki, 57010, Greece.Emergency Department, Medical School of Patras, University of Patras, Greece/Papageorgiou General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GreeceSports, Trauma and Pain Institute, Thessaloniki, GreeceAcibadem University, Fulya Acibadem Hospital, Instabul, TurkeyUniversidad de Concepcion, Sanatorio Aleman Clinic, Concepcion, ChileHypothesis: Posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow is commonly treated with open lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction techniques. This cohort study evaluates the efficacy of a less invasive arthroscopic LCL imbrication technique for reducing grade I or II PLRI. Methods: Forty-three patients with stage 1 or 2 PLRI, unresponsive to conservative therapy, were included. Diagnoses were based on chronic post-traumatic pain (11 patients), chronic atraumatic lateral elbow pain (20), and previous open tennis elbow surgery (12). Following clinical and arthroscopic diagnosis confirmation, the LCL imbrication technique was performed. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score and range of motion (ROM) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Wilcoxon signed rank test, respectively, with a minimum 12-month follow-up (range 12-48 months). Results: The Mayo Elbow Performance Score increased significantly from a median of 45 points preoperatively to 90 (range 80-100) at 3 months and 95 (range 80-100) at 12 months follow-up (P < .001). Postoperative median flexion reached 140°, and extension was 0°. At 12 months, 2 patients experienced a 10° extension deficit; 95.3% (41 of 43) achieved full ROM. Knot irritation occurred in 4 patients (out of the first 10 of this cohort, 9.3%), 3 of them requiring knot removal. Switching to a polydioxanone 1 suture eliminated this complication. One patient underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis for adhesions after 14 months. Conclusion: Arthroscopic LCL imbrication offers favorable outcomes for grade I or II PLRI from the third postoperative month with minimal complications. A slight restriction in ROM and transient knot discomfort were the main issues, the latter resolved by switching to a thinner polydioxanone suture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004353ElbowArthroscopyPLRIImbricationLUCLElbow instability
spellingShingle Christos Koukos, MD, PhD
Nikolaos Platon Sachinis, MD, PhD
Konstantinos Sidiropoulos, MD
Michael Kotsapas, MD
Kerem Bilsel, MD, PhD
Fredy Montoya, MD, PhD
Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
JSES International
Elbow
Arthroscopy
PLRI
Imbrication
LUCL
Elbow instability
title Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
title_full Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
title_fullStr Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
title_full_unstemmed Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
title_short Arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
title_sort arthroscopic lateral collateral ligament imbrication for the treatment of posterolateral rotatory elbow instability
topic Elbow
Arthroscopy
PLRI
Imbrication
LUCL
Elbow instability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638324004353
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