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Thesis
Biomechanical evaluation of the intact, injured and surgically reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow joint
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jul 2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-83
Abstract
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a major passive stabilizer againstvalgus moments and is a frequent site of injury for the professional throwing athlete. Due to theimportance of the UCL in elbow stabilization, many clinical and biomechanical studies wereconducted in the past to understand its role; however, no study has evaluated the stabilizingfunction of the UCL when subjected to a pure valgus-varus moment at varying degrees of flexion. In addition, few comparative studies have been done on the biomechanics of common tendongraft reconstructions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stabilizing function of the nativeand reconstructed UCL with the following specific goals for each: i) determine the valgusstability of the elbow as a function of flexion angle; ii) quantify the kinematic coupling betweenforearm rotation and valgus displacement; iii) determine the UCL/tendon graft elongation whensubjected to a valgus displacement at varying degrees of flexion; iv) determine the ultimatestrength of the UCL/tendon graft and its length at the instance of failure. Testing was conducted on six pairs of cadaveric elbows. A four degree of freedomloading device was used to assess the load'displacement characteristics of the native andreconstructed medial ligamentous complex while an opto-electrical kinematic tracking systemrecorded the motion of the origin and insertion points of the UCL/tendon graft reconstruction. For each elbow, a series of tests was conducted at 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 110 degrees of flexion. Data fromfive loading/unloading cycles were collected. The UCL of each elbow was then loaded to failure at 80 degrees. The medial ligamentous complex was then reconstructed with either the Jobe or Dockingtechnique, using the palmaris longus tendon. Once reconstructed, the aforementioned series oftests was repeated, followed by loading the tendon graft to failure.
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Details
- Title
- Biomechanical evaluation of the intact, injured and surgically reconstructed ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow joint
- Creators
- John Hobart Thinnes - DU
- Contributors
- Sorin Siegler (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering (1970-2026); Mechanical Engineering (and Mechanics) [Historical]; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 83; 991014632413304721