Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (3): 319-324.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2018.03.017

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Biomechanical study on the reconstruction of anterior bundle of ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint using suture anchor combined with bone tunnel technique

CAI Hui 1,2,  XU Shi-ming 2, DENG Zi-wen 2, HUANG Dong 2, LIU Xiao-chun 2,YU Chao-qun 2   

  1. 1.University of South China Teaching Hospital of Guangdong NO.2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China;  2. Department of Traumatic Surgery, Guangdong NO.2 Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou 510317, China
  • Received:2017-12-05 Online:2018-05-25 Published:2018-07-04

Abstract:

Objective To explore the valgus stability of the elbow joint when the anterior bundle of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in three states of complete, fracture and reconstruction, and to evaluate the effectiveness of suture anchor combined with bone tunnel technique.    Methods 8 fresh adult upper limb cadavers were adopted to establish samples of the bone-ligament of the elbow joint, and the anterior bundle of UCL of each sample was simulated as three states of intact, fracture and reconstruction, then the biomechanical indexes of the elbow joint at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°and 120°, including valgus laxity, contact area and pressure in the humeroradial joint. The samples were divided into 3 groups according to the different state of the anterior bundle of UCL: the intact group, the fracture group, and the reconstruction group. There were 8 cases in every group. The data were obtained and statistic analysis was made. Results In each group, the biomechanical indexes of each group at 0° were significantly different when those under (P<0.05); among the three groups,there was no statistical difference in the biomechanical indexes of each group at 0 °(P>0.05), whereas significant difference would be found at the other angles between the intact and fracture groups and the fracture and reconstruction groups(P<0.05).    Conclusion The anterior bundle of UCL is an important structure to maintain the valgus stability of the elbow joint. The elbow joint at the straight position is relatively stable compared with the flexion position. The elbow joint after reconstruction of anterior bundle of UCL using suture anchor combined with bone tunnel technique not only has sufficient stability, but also has the same excellent biomechanical properties as the normal elbow.

Key words: Elbow joint,  Ulnar collateral ligament,  Reconstruction,  Biomechanics