Background: The anterior bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary anatomical structure providing elbow stability in overhead sports, particularly baseball. Injury to the UCL in overhead athletes often leads to symptomatic valgus instability that requires surgical treatment.
Hypothesis: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with a free tendon graft, known as Tommy John surgery, will allow return to the same competitive level of sports participation in the majority of athletes.
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods: Ulnar collateral reconstruction (1266) or repair (15) was performed in 1281 patients over a 19-year period (1988–2006) using a modification of the Jobe technique. Data were collected prospectively and patients were surveyed retrospectively with a telephone questionnaire to determine outcomes and return to performance at a minimum of 2 years after surgery.
Results: Nine hundred forty-two patients were available for a minimum 2-year follow-up (average, 38.4 months; range, 24-130 months). Seven hundred forty-three patients (79%) were contacted for follow-up evaluation and/or completed a questionnaire at an average of 37 months postoperatively. Six hundred seventeen patients (83%) returned to the previous level of competition or higher, including 610 (83%) after reconstruction. The average time from surgery to the initiation of throwing was 4.4 months (range, 2.8-12 months) and the average time to full competition was 11.6 months (range, 3-72 months) after reconstruction. Complications occurred in 148 patients (20%), including 16% considered minor and 4% considered major.
Conclusion: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition was found to be effective in correcting valgus elbow instability in the overhead athlete and allowed most athletes (83%) to return to previous or higher level of competition in less than 1 year.
Background
The modified Jobe and Docking techniques are commonly used to reconstruct the elbow’s ulnar collateral ligament.
Hypothesis
Valgus laxity and kinematic coupling after these reconstructive procedures are similar to those of the native ulnar collateral ligament.
Study Design
Controlled laboratory study.
Methods
Testing was conducted on 10 pairs of cadaver elbows using a 4 degrees of freedom loading system. Subfailure valgus loads were applied to the native elbows at different flexion angles; motion and ligament elongation were measured. The elbows were then loaded to failure in valgus at 90° of flexion. The reconstructive techniques were then applied and testing was repeated.
Results
Only the resting length of the anterior portion of the ulnar collateral ligament anterior bundle remained isometric throughout range of motion. Valgus laxity was nearly equal for the native and reconstructed ligaments at flexion angles of 90° or higher. However, both reconstructions provided less valgus stability than the native ulnar collateral ligament at low flexion angles. Kinematic coupling decreased with increased flexion for both native and reconstructed ligaments.
Conclusion
The modified Jobe and Docking techniques reconstruct restraint of the native ulnar collateral ligament to valgus laxity and kinematic coupling at 90° of flexion and higher angles where peak valgus torque is experienced in the throwing elbow.
Clinical Relevance
Both reconstructions provide valgus stability comparable to that of the native ulnar collateral ligament at 90° and higher, helping to explain their success in treating throwing athletes. Both reconstructions provide less valgus stability than the native ulnar collateral ligament at low flexion angles, suggesting that patients undergoing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction should be cautioned against activities that provide valgus stress at low elbow flexion angles, such as side-arm throwing. This study suggests caution against overtightening the reconstructions at the common 30° of flexion.
Background
Repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture is a challenging procedure and, to date, there is no consensus as to which technique should be used because of the specific complications reported for each.
Purpose
A new endoscopic technique is described that uses a suture anchor to repair distal biceps tendon ruptures.
Study Design
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods
The results of a cohort of 23 patients (25 elbows) are reported with a median follow-up of 26 months. All patients were male and their median age was 44 years (range, 30–58). Ten of the patients (12 ruptures) were professional athletes or had a high level of physical activity. All repairs were performed via a 3-cm incision made in the “safe area” of the anterior crease of the forearm. The whole procedure was performed within the tendon sheath. The tendon was reinserted using a single anchor.
Results
Of the 23 patients, 22 were satisfied and 20 patients returned to their preinjury sports and jobs. There was a mean loss of 8.6° of pronation and 5° of supination. A single severe neurologic complication, which required a second surgical procedure, was reported. There were also 2 ectopic ossifications without clinical consequences and a transitory radial nerve paralysis.
Conclusions
This study clearly demonstrated that endoscopic repair of the ruptured distal biceps tendon is safe, effective, and reproducible. It provides good functional outcome and early recovery with few complications. Postoperative median nerve palsy due to edema is a possible concern for patients involved in athletic activity and with a history of nerve entrapment; thus this technique should be used with caution in this group of patients.
Background: Good to excellent short-term results have been reported for the surgical treatment of lateral epicondylitis using various surgical techniques.
Hypothesis: Surgical treatment for lateral epicondylitis using the mini-open Nirschl surgical technique will lead to durable results at long-term follow-up.
Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods: Records from 139 consecutive surgical procedures (130 patients) for lateral epicondylitis performed by 1 surgeon between 1991 and 1994 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-three patients (92 elbows) were available by telephone for a mean follow-up of 12.6 years (range, 10–14 years). Outcome measures included the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, Nirschl and Verhaar tennis elbow–specific scoring systems, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow form. Preoperative data were collected retrospectively.
Results: The mean age of the study group was 46 years (range, 23–70 years) with 45 men and 38 women. Eighty-seven of the procedures were primary, and 5 were revision tennis elbow surgeries. Concomitant procedures were performed in 30 patients including ulnar nerve release in 24 patients, medial tennis elbow procedures in 23 patients, shoulder arthroscopy in 2 patients, carpal tunnel release in 1 patient, and triceps debridement and osteophyte excision in 1 patient. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 2.2 years (range, 2 months to 10 years). The mean Nirschl tennis elbow score improved from 23.0 to 71.0, and the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 34.3 to 87.7 at a minimum of 10-year follow-up (P < .05). The Numeric Pain Intensity Scale pain score improved from 8.4 preoperatively to 2.1 (P < .05). Results were rated as excellent in 71 elbows, good in 6 elbows, fair in 9 elbows, and poor in 6 elbows by the Nirschl tennis elbow score. By the criteria of Verhaar et al, the results were excellent in 45 elbows, good in 32 elbows, fair in 8 elbows, and poor in 7 elbows. Eighty-four percent good to excellent results were achieved using both scoring systems. Ninety-two percent of the patients reported normal elbow range of motion. The overall improvement rate was 97%. Patient satisfaction averaged 8.9 of 10. Ninety-three percent of those available at a minimum of 10-year follow-up reported returning to their sports.
Conclusion: The mini-open Nirschl surgical technique with accurate resection of the tendinosis tissue remains highly successful in the long term.
