Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries (Elbow)
Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament (LUCL) injuries affect the stability of the outer elbow, often leading to pain, weakness, and instability during motion. Early treatment, including physical therapy or surgical repair, helps restore normal function and prevent chronic issues. The hand and upper extremity specialists at The Hand, Wrist, and Elbow institute with offices in Chicago, Illinois and the surrounding regions provide expert diagnosis and personalized care for LUCL injuries of the elbow using advanced surgical and nonsurgical interventions with individualized rehabilitation. Call The Hand, Wrist and Elbow institute to make an appointment at any one of our convenient locations and experience state-of-the-art care with compassion.
What is the Lateral Ulnar Collateral Ligament (LUCL)?
A ligament is a band of elastic, tough fibrous connective tissue around a joint. It attaches bone to bone, supports and holds them together and limits the joint's movement.
Your elbow is made of four ligaments. The ligament on the outside of the elbow is a lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL). It is the main one of the four ligaments that make up the lateral collateral complex of the elbow.
A LUCL injury is a condition where the ligament is extremely stretched, or torn and detached from the elbow joint.
Causes of LUCL Injuries
LUCL injuries are mostly caused by looseness of the ligament due to traumatic dislocation in the elbow joint. Insufficiency of the lateral elbow collateral ligament complex can also lead to LUCL injury.
Symptoms
Pain in the elbow is the primary symptom of LUCL injuries. Other symptoms can be:
- A sensation of the elbow sliding out of place
- A feeling of clicking with elbow extension
- Clunking or catching when pushing off from a chair arm
Diagnosis
LUCL injuries are typically diagnosed using various methods such as:
- Physical exam with palpation (check for tenderness over LUCL)
- Motion and stability in the elbow (varus instability)
- Provocative test and apprehension test
- Chair rise test, floor push-up test, table-top relocation test
- Radiograph (X-ray) test or MRI test
What are the Nonoperative Options?
Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the elbow can be the first nonoperative option. Additionally, your doctor may also consider other options such as:
- Immobilization at 90° flexion for 5 to 7 days
- Bracing, extensor strengthening
- Activity modifications
What are the Operative Options?
The operative options include:
- LUCL repair and fixation by surgery
- LUCL reconstruction (allograft or autograft)
- Palmaris longus tendon graft
- Docking technique
However, these procedures may sometimes lead to complications such as recurrent instability (3-8% occurrence), infection, cutaneous nerve injury, and decreased ROM.
What Happens After Your Surgery?
After the surgery, your elbow will be put into a splint for 7-10 days.
Your Rehabilitation
Once the splint is removed, your rehabilitation process begins with a controlled motion of the elbow. A removable thermoplastic splint is likely to be applied for 3 more weeks to facilitate the overhead range of motion (ROM) exercises in the supine position.
Thereafter, the focus will be shifted toward strengthening the elbow flexors, extensors, pronators, and supinators. The rehabilitation process may continue until you resume full activity, which will usually take 4 to 6 months after your surgery.