Long-term results after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow in European athletes with interference screw technique and triceps fascia autograft.

BACKGROUND

In the last decade, there has been increasing interest in medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction techniques for MUCL insufficiency of the elbow. All case series are based on American and Asian Athletes and use primarily a palmaris longus tendon or gracilis tendon as an autograft in reconstructions. A new technique is the interference screw fixation. Evidence that supports the use of this technique is mainly from controlled laboratory studies. The purpose was to evaluate the interference screw technique for MUCL reconstructions in a European, clinical setting, with a triceps tendon fascia autograft.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive athletes with diagnosed MUCL insufficiency who underwent a MUCL reconstruction using the interference screw technique were reviewed retrospectively. Indications for reconstruction were medial elbow pain and/or instability caused by insufficiency of the MUCL that prevented the athlete from sport activity after a minimum of 3 months of conservative treatment.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 55 months (range, 36-94), the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) score improved from 82 to 91 points (range, 80-100); P < .001. In the end, 6 patients (30%) quit the sport activities they were preoperatively participating in, all because of reasons unrelated to the MUCL reconstruction. There were excellent results on the Conway scale in 18 patients.

CONCLUSION

Good results are reported based on the postoperative MEPI and Conway scores with clinically stable MUCL reconstructions without signs of break-out or fractures on radiographic follow-up. However, the dropout, even after successful reconstruction in European athletes, is high.