Cheng Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2010, 5:5 CASE REPORT Open Access Long-term sequel of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow: a case report Chun-Ying Cheng* Abstract The natural course of untreated posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow is unclear. A case of elbow arthrosis with progressing deformity and flexion contracture after an episode of elbow dislocation about 20 years ago presented the possibility the long term outcome of untreated posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow. Introduction The lateral collateral ligament complex of the elbow is the main stabilized of posterolateral rotatory instability and was described by O’Driscoll at 1991[1]. Posterolateral. | Cheng Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2010 5 5 http content 5 1 5 JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND RESEARCH CASE REPORT Open Access Long-term sequel of posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow a case report Chun-Ying Cheng Abstract The natural course of untreated posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow is unclear. A case of elbow arthrosis with progressing deformity and flexion contracture after an episode of elbow dislocation about 20 years ago presented the possibility the long term outcome of untreated posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow. Introduction The lateral collateral ligament complex of the elbow is the main stabilized of posterolateral rotatory instability and was described by O Driscoll at 1991 1 . Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow results from insufficiency of the lateral ligamentous and muscular support of the elbow which allows the radial head and proximal ulna to subluxate away from the humeral capitellum and trochlea when axially loaded in supination 2 . The long term outcome of unrecognized posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow is unclear and rarely reported. The author described a case of progressing deformed elbow with flexion contracture after an episode of elbow dislocation about 20 years ago with the symptom of tardy ulna nerve palsy for 4 months the ulnar nerve symptom and elbow function was improved after a surgical repair of the lateral collateral ligament complex and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. This case of elbow arthrosis presented the possibility of the nature course of posterior lateral rotatory instability of the elbow. Case presentation A 46-year-old right-hand-dominant male presented with left ring and little fingers numbness and hand weakness that had been aggravated over the previous 4 months. He had chronic pain and progressive deformity of lateral elbow and lost extension after one episode of elbow dislocation about
