Elbow instability associated with bicolumnar fracture of the distal humerus: report of three cases.

Ulnohumeral subluxation or dislocation is rare after open reduction and internal fixation of a bicolumnar fracture of the distal humerus. We report 3 patients in whom detachment of the origins of the lateral collateral ligament and common extensor muscle origins from the lateral epicondyle contributed to postoperative instability after open reduction and internal fixation of a fracture of the distal humerus. This may be due to either unrecognized ligament injury or iatrogenic injury during surgical dissection.