Lateral Collateral Ligament Instability of the Elbow

Lateral elbow support is provided by a combination of bony anatomy and the ligaments and tendons that originate at the lateral epicondyle. Instability is typically posttraumatic in nature. In the acute setting of elbow fracture-dislocation, restoration of lateral soft tissue support can be typically accomplished by a direct repair of the lateral ligament and extensor tendon origins to the humeral epicondyle. In chronic settings, a reconstruction is most commonly necessary using a free tendon graft. Indications and surgical techniques are discussed.