The ulnar collateral ligament complex is
located on the inside of the elbow
(pinky or medial side). It is attached on one side to the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) and on the other side to the ulna (a bone in the forearm).
What are the two collateral ligaments of the elbow joint?
The medial (ulnar) collateral ligament (MCL)
supports the ulnohumeral and radiohumeral joints medially, and is a fan-shaped structure. The lateral (radial) collateral ligament (LCL) also supports the ulnohumeral and radiohumeral joints, but laterally. It is more of a cord-like structure.
What are the collateral ligaments of the elbow?
The medial collateral ligament of the elbow can be divided into three components,
the anterior, the posterior, and the transverse bundles
4
, 13 , 15 , 26
(Fig 2). The ligament originates on the central 65% of the anteroinferior surface of the medial epicondyle, just posterior to the axis of the elbow.
Which ligaments provide collateral support at the elbow?
The Elbow’s Ligaments
Three ligaments are present in the elbow joint:
the ulnar collateral ligament
, the radial collateral ligament, and the annular ligament. These ligaments provide strength and support to the elbow joint along with the surrounding muscles or your arm and forearm.
What are the two collateral ligaments?
The
medial or “inside” collateral ligament (MCL) connects the femur to the tibia
. The lateral or “outside” collateral ligament (LCL) connects the femur to the smaller bone in the lower leg (fibula). The collateral ligaments control the sideways motion of your knee and brace it against unusual movement.
Which of the elbow collateral ligaments is strongest?
The AB or MUCL
is the strongest component of the ligamentous complex and the primary restraint to valgus stress. It is also composed of two separate bands (anterior and posterior) that provide reciprocal function with the anterior band tight in extension, and the posterior band tight in flexion.
How do you know if you tore a ligament in your elbow?
Elbow ligament and tendon tear symptoms
Pain and tenderness around the injury
.
Reduced range of motion around the arm, elbow, forearm or wrist
.
Stiffness around the elbow
.
Swelling
.
Can a torn ligament in elbow heal itself?
The front band is the most important for the stability of the elbow.
Minor ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury can heal itself with nonsurgical treatments
.
Can a torn tendon in elbow heal itself?
Once torn, the
biceps tendon at the elbow will not grow back to the bone and heal
. Other arm muscles make it possible to bend the elbow fairly well without the biceps tendon.
How do you strengthen the ulnar collateral ligament?
Grip strengthening:
Squeeze a soft rubber ball
and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds. Do 2 sets of 15. Forearm pronation and supination strengthening: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand and bend your elbow 90 degrees. Slowly turn your hand so your palm is up and then down.
How long does it take elbow ligament to heal?
You may need to wear a sling, splint, or cast for about 2 to 3 weeks while your elbow heals. Depending on how badly it is sprained, you may need to work with a physical therapist who will show you stretching and strengthening exercises. Most people recover completely from a simple elbow sprain in
about 4 weeks
.
What is the fastest way to heal a torn ligament in the elbow?
Rest: Restrict and modify daily activity to allow the ligaments to heal. Ice: Ice the area periodically (every 15-20 minutes) to reduce swelling and prevent tissue damage.
Compression
: This helps support the elbow and decrease swelling. Your doctor may recommend keeping it wrapped with a tight elastic bandage.
What is the treatment for a UCL sprain in the elbow?
UCL sprains can be treated conservatively or surgically. Conservative treatment includes
rest, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and bracing
. Initially, rest and anti-inflammatories can be used to help reduce the pain and swelling. If the injury is acute, a sling may also be useful to aid in resting the elbow.
How long does it take for a lateral collateral ligament to heal?
It may take
up to eight weeks
to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury. If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone (femur) or shinbone (tibia), the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple.
Is the LCL stronger than the MCL?
However, direct comparison across studies is difficult, as the range in reported strength and stiffness of the LCL is
approximately 2-fold greater than that
reported for the MCL. Thus, depending on the study, the LCL may be as much as 40% stronger or 40% weaker than the MCL.
How do collateral ligaments heal?
- Rest and protecting your knee.
- Ice or a cold pack.
- Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage (compression).
- Propping up (elevating) your knee.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine.
