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Elbow Instability
Dr. Garcia does blog topics on “hot and new” topics in the community. See his monthly vlog videos below.
In this video, Dr. Grant H. Garcia moves from acute tendon ruptures to discussing the clinical presentation and types of elbow instability.
Here is a summary of the core medical insights he shares:
- Two Variations of Instability: Elbow joint instability generally falls into two categories based on location:
- Inside (Medial) Instability: Involves the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), famously known in sports medicine as the "Tommy John" ligament.
- Outside (Lateral) Instability: Involves the radial collateral ligament complex, which is the primary focus of this specific discussion.
- Causes of Lateral Elbow Instability: Patients suffering from outside elbow instability—often manifesting as posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI)—typically trace the issue back to a specific trauma. Common causes include a direct blow, a fall onto an outstretched hand, or a violent twisting injury to the elbow.
- The Classic Symptom: Dr. Garcia shares that the most common, telltale complaint from patients with lateral instability is a popping or clicking sensation when they try to push themselves up out of a chair. During this specific movement, the joint lacks proper support, causing the patient to feel the radial head (the bone on the outside of the forearm) physically shifting or slipping out of its proper alignment.
