Stabilizers of the elbow

King, Graham J. W.; Morrey, Bernard F.; An, Kai-Nan

Affiliations

¹Hand and Upper Limb Centre at St. Joseph's Health Center, 268 Grosvenor St., London, Ontario, Canada, Canada, N6A 4L6

²Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester

Abstract

The elbow joint is stabilized by the conforming shape of its articular surfaces, by the joint capsule and collateral ligaments, and by muscles that pass across the joint. Each of these static and dynamic stabilizers serve to keep the joint surfaces in apposition. The relative contribution of these structures to stability varies as a function of joint orientation and the extent of muscle activation. In this article our present understanding of the stabilizers of the elbow is reviewed. Important implications regarding the management of osseous and ligamentous injuries about the elbow are highlighted.

Links

DOI: 10.1016/S1058-2746(09)80053-0

History

Revised: 1993-05-1

Online: 2009-02-19

Cited Works (1)

Year	Entry
1981	An KN, Hui FC, Morrey BF, Linscheid RL, Chao EY. Muscles across the elbow joint: a biomechanical analysis. J Biomech. 1981;14(10):659-669.

Cited By (11)

Year	Entry
2000	Johnson JA, Rath DA, Dunning CE, Roth SE, King GJW. Simulation of elbow and forearm motion in vitro using a load controlled testing apparatus. J Biomech. May 2000;33(5):635-639.
2001	Dunning CE, Duck TR, King GJW, Johnson JA. Simulated active control produces repeatable motion pathways of the elbow in an in vitro testing system. J Biomech. August 2001;34(8):1039-1048.
1997	Rath DA. Design and Development of an Elbow Loading Apparatus and the Determination of Elbow Kinematics [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; May 1997.
2001	Dunning CE. Development of a Motion-Controlled Testing Apparatus and Kinematic Techniques to Simulate and Describe Elbow Motion (development of Tools to Simulate and Describe Elbow Motion) [PhD thesis]. London, ON: University of Western Ontario; 2001.
2011	Ferreira LM. Development of an Active Elbow Motion Simulator and Coordinate Systems to Evaluate Kinematics in Multiple Positions [PhD thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2011.
2015	Khayat A. Effect of Hemiarthroplasty Implant Contact Geometry and Material on Early Cartilage Wear [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2015.
2016	Manocha RHK. Optimizing the Rehabilitation of Elbow Lateral Collateral Ligament Injuries [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2016.
2018	Banayan SM. The Kinematic and Biomechanical Effects of Bracing on the Rehabilitation of the LCL Injured Elbow [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2018.
2020	Szmit J. An Investigation on the Influences of Radial Head Hemiarthroplasty Stem Fixation Techniques on Articular Mechanics [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2020.
2020	Dunham CL. The Mechanobiology of Elbow Contracture: Pathogenesis and Prevention [PhD thesis]. St. Louis, MO: Washington University in St. Louis; May 2020.
2021	Reiter A. Post-Traumatic Elbow Contracture Characterization and Physical Therapy-Based Treatment Strategies in a Preclinical Model [PhD thesis]. St. Louis, MO: Washington University in St. Louis; May 2021.