Collateral Ligament Lateral Elbow

Lateral epicondyle of humerus, radial collateral ligament of elbow, supinator crest of ulna. 

The bony architecture of the elbow contributes to the stability of the joint, which is reinforced by the medial (ulnar) and lateral (radial) collateral ligaments, which provide most of the stability. 

The joint capsule and several ligaments support the elbow joints. Maintaining the most support and resisting valgus and varus strains are the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, respectively. Other anatomical considerations in-... 

Somatic dysfunctions can involve contraction of the related muscles, compression of the neural elements, strain of the ligamentous aspects, and restriction primarily of the secondary motions of the joint components. The radial head typically entails posterior or anterior dysfunctions and may involve the muscles, the annular ligament, and the lateral collateral ligament. The humero-olecranon dysfunctions can involve the muscles, the medial collateral ligament, and can be related to symptoms involving the ulnar nerve. Restriction of elbow... 

Anterior Elbow Pathology 371 Distal Biceps Tendon Tear 371 Bicipitoradial (Cubital) Bursitis 372 Medial Elbow Pathology 376 Medial Epicondylitis (Epitrochleitis) 376 Medial Collateral Ligament Injury 377 Epitrochlear Lymphadenopathies 377 Lateral Elbow Pathology 378 Lateral Epicondylitis 378... 

The elbow is composed of three articulations-radio-capitellar, proximal radio-ulnar and trochlea-ulnasharing in a common joint cavity and stabilized by a number of soft-tissue structures, including the lateral and medial collateral ligaments and the anterior portion of the joint capsule. 

The lateral aspect of the elbow is best examined with both elbows in extension, thumbs up, palms of the hands together (Barr and Babcock 1991). When examining the radial collateral ligament and the capsule, the elbow should be extended, keeping the hand pronated. Along the lateral elbow, high-resolution US can demonstrate the common extensor tendon, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament, the radial nerve with its superficial and deep (posterior interosseous nerve) branches, and the radio-capitellar joint. 

Fig. 8.41. Partial-thickness tear of the common extensor tendon. Long-axis 12-5 MHz US image in a manual laborer who presented with acute onset of lateral elbow pain reveals a linear hypoechoic split star) extending from the lateral epicondyle (LE) through the substance of the common extensor tendon origin. The torn deep libers arrowheads) are retracted just distal to the hypoechoic area. Note the integrity of the underlying lateral ulnar collateral ligament asterisks). RH, radial head...

Static constraint of the elbow is the result of both bony structure and capsuloligamentous stabilizers. The soft tissue stabilizers include the medial and lateral collateral ligament complexes, the joint capsule, the annular ligament, and the interosseous membrane (Figure 10.3). 

The joint capsule surrounds all three articulations of the elbow joint and is thickened medially and laterally to form the collateral ligament complexes [2]. The joint capsule is loose anteriorly and especially posterior to allow full flexion and extension of the elbow [1]. It is most lax in 80 degrees of elbow flexion. Transverse and obliquely directed bands in the anterior capsule provide significant stability when taut in extension [4]. 

The lateral collateral ligament complex also consists of four components the lateral ulnar collateral ligament, the fan-shaped radial collateral ligamenf the accessory collateral ligament, and the annular UgamenL This complex restrains the elbow from varus torques. The lateral ulnar... 

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