Chronic elbow and forearm instability

Abstract

Elbow instability may be medial or lateral and presents as an acute or chronic problem. Traumatic or iatrogenic insufficiency of the lateral collateral ligament is reviewed, with emphasis on the clinical presentation, diagnostic exam, and appropriate imaging tests. Current trends on lateral elbow instability treatment are reviewed including both open and arthroscopic techniques. Medial instability is more prevalent among throwing athletes and may be associated with a valgus overload syndrome. Key aspects of the pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of this entity are reviewed.