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Nonoperative Management of Complete Lateral Elbow Ligamentous Disruption in an NFL Player: A Case Report

  • Case Report/CME Article
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HSS Journal

Abstract

Disruptions of the lateral soft tissue restraints of the elbow, including the lateral ulnar collateral ligament, are a well-recognized clinical entity which may result in chronic elbow instability. When symptomatic, most authors recommend surgery to reconstruct the LUCL. We report on a case of a professional football player who sustained complete disruption of the lateral collateral ligamentous complex from the lateral humeral epicondyle with extension of his injury into his common extensor origin. He was treated conservatively and returned to play after 4 weeks. Treatment algorithm and a review of the literature are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Mark S. Muller MD, Mark C. Drakos MD, Brian Feeley MD & Russell F. Warren MD

  2. The New York Giants, East Rutherford, NJ, USA

    Ronnie Barnes MA, ATC

Authors
  1. Mark S. Muller MD
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  2. Mark C. Drakos MD
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  3. Brian Feeley MD
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  4. Ronnie Barnes MA, ATC
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  5. Russell F. Warren MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark C. Drakos MD.

Additional information

Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the reporting of this case, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

Please read each question and circle the correct answer.

Please read each question and circle the correct answer.

1) Injury to what structure has been described as the “essential lesion” of posterolateral rotatory instability?

  1. a.

    Radial Collateral Ligament

  2. b.

    Annular Ligament

  3. c.

    Common Extensor Tendon Origin

  4. d.

    Accessory Annular Ligament

  5. e.

    Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament

2) Which of the following is not part of the lateral elbow capsular ligamentous complex?

  1. a.

    Radial Collateral Ligament

  2.  b.

    Annular Ligament

  3. c.

    Common Extensor Tendon Origin

  4. d.

    Accessory Annular Ligament

  5. e.

    Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament

3) All professional athletes with a complete avulsion of the lateral ligamentous restrains of the elbow should be managed surgically in order to return to competition.

  1. a.

    True

  2. b.

    False

4) Return to play after surgical reconstruction of the lateral ulnar collateral ligaments has been reported at

  1. a.

    4 weeks

  2. b.

    3 months

  3. c.

    6 months

  4. d.

    1 year

5) Athletes more commonly injure the lateral aspect of their elbow rather than the medial aspect

  1. a.

    True

  2. b.

    False

6) Approximately what % of total injuries to lateral elbow sprains represent in football players?

  1. a.

    30%

  2. b.

    20%

  3. c.

    10%

  4. d.

    <5%

7) The two most common causes of lateral elbow ligament disruption are:

  1. a.

    Elbow dislocation and iatrogenic release

  2. b.

    Degenrative tendinopathy and iatrogenic release

  3. c.

    Degenrative tendinopathy and Elbow dislocation

  4. d.

    Iatrogenic release and direct lacertation

8) Hyperextension and valgus injuries are the most common mechanisms for acute elbow injuries

  1. a.

    True

  2. b.

    False

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Muller, M.S., Drakos, M.C., Feeley, B. et al. Nonoperative Management of Complete Lateral Elbow Ligamentous Disruption in an NFL Player: A Case Report. HSS Jrnl 6, 19–25 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9146-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9146-3

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