Elbow ligament strain under valgus load: A biomechanical study

This study assessed the importance of the anterior and posterior bundles of the medial collateral ligament in the elbow by measuring in situ strain in response to valgus loads at three positions of forearm rotation throughout a full are of motion. Strain in the anterior bundle was significantly grea ter than in the posterior bundle and increased with more flexion. The anter ior bundle developed strain at a lower flexion angle (30 degrees) than the posterior bundle (60 degrees). Strain ratio increased with load increase fo r all flexion angles. Forearm position minimally affected strain. These res ults indicate that the anterior bundle is important in resisting a valgus l oad, particularly in mid-flexion, while the importance of the posterior bun dle increases as the elbow approaches full flexion.