What ligament resists valgus forces at the elbow?
The medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament originates from the anterior inferior surface of the medial epicondyle and joins the ulna to the humerus, providing support and resistance in valgus overloads.
What causes elbow valgus?
Most cases of symptomatic chronic valgus instability occur as a result of repetitive trauma to the medial elbow stabilizers in overhead athletes.
Why does valgus stress trauma to the elbow?
In other words, as the forearm lays back in external rotation and reaches Maximum External Rotation (MER), valgus stress is pulling the bones in the elbow apart while the UCL stabilizes it. Over time, this can cause the UCL to tear and eventually rupture.
What is valgus?
Definition of valgus 1 : of, relating to, or being a deformity in which an anatomical part is turned outward away from the midline of the body to an abnormal degree a valgus heel valgus deformity of the big toe. 2 : varus sense 1 —used of the knee.
What elbow ligament does a valgus stress test for?
medial collateral ligament
The elbow valgus stress test is used to assess the integrity of the medial collateral ligament, also known as the ulnar collateral ligament.
What does the UCL ligament do?
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a ligament that runs on the inner side of the elbow to help support it when performing certain motions, such as throwing. When this ligament is torn or damaged, it can lead to pain, elbow instability and loss of function.
What is a valgus force on the knee?
There are two collateral ligaments of the knee: the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Injuries of the MCL are much more common, owing to its exposure to damage from a blow to the outside of the knee, creating a so-called valgus force.
What is the valgus position?
The best position for protecting the knee is in a neutral alignment. Knee “valgus” occurs when the knee moves inward, toward the midline of the body, no longer in a straight line between the hip and ankle. The knee is more susceptible to injury when it’s in a valgus position.
What is a valgus injury?
A common triad of injury (particularly in athletes) when a valgus force is applied to the knee involves injury to the MCL, the medial meniscus, and the anterior cruciate ligament. Most patients are able to continue ambulating after an acute injury. Pain and stiffness are localized to the medial knee.
What injury occurs from a valgus force?
Definition/Description. A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is a stretch, partial tear, or complete tear of the ligament on the inside of the knee. It is one of the most common knee injuries and results mostly from a valgus force on the knee.
What is valgus movement?
Valgus collapse’ or ‘knee valgus’ is a movement dysfunction that may occur during walking, running, squatting or other functional activities. It refers to when one knee “collapses” in towards the other knee, instead of travelling in a straight line over the foot.
What does a positive valgus test indicate?
Positive findings may include excessive gapping at the medial joint and/or pain, indicating MCL damage. This may also indicate capsular or cruciate ligament laxity, depending on what degree of knee flexion the test is performed at. It should be noted that some joint gapping is considered normal at 30 degrees.
What type of force does the ulnar collateral ligament resist?
The UCL is a small ligament on the inner portion of the elbow that provides stability to resist valgus force (angulation) at the elbow joint. It can be injured acutely in traumatic elbow injuries such as elbow dislocations or injuries that commonly occur in gymnastics, wrestling and falls from a height.
What force causes injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow?
The UCL can become stretched, frayed or torn through the stress of repetitive throwing motions or by falling on an outstretched arm. For athletes, especially baseball pitchers, the force on the soft tissues becomes greater than the tensile strength of the structure. This can result in tiny tears of the ligament.
What is valgus position?
A valgus deformity is a condition in which the bone segment distal to a joint is angled outward, that is, angled laterally, away from the body’s midline. The opposite deformation, where the twist or angulation is directed medially, toward the center of the body, is called varus.
Is valgus abduction or adduction?
Classic “valgus” is usually stated as “knee abduction”.
What is valgus pressure?
The valgus stress test, also known as the medial stress test, is used to assess the integrity of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee. MCL injuries are common in the athletic population and can occur as either isolated injuries, or combined with other structural injuries.
What is the elbow valgus instability stress test?
If you are a patient, seek care of a health care professional. The elbow valgus instability stress test assesses for integrity or laxity of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the elbow joint. The mechanism is similar to the test used for the knee joint.
What is valgus extension overload or pitcher’s elbow?
Valgus Extension Overload, also known as Pitcher’s elbow, is a condition characterized by posteromedial elbow pain related to repetitive microtrauma in throwing athletes.
How do you do a valgus test on your elbow?
Test Position: Seated. Performing the Test: The affected elbow is placed in 20 degrees of flexion with the humerus in full lateral rotation and a neutral forearm (to decreased influence of PLRI) while palpating the medial joint line. The therapist then applies a valgus force to the elbow.
How does The humero-ulnar joint resist valgus forces?
Between full extension and 30 degrees of flexion, the bony block of the humero-ulnar joint is responible for resisting valgus forces. Beyond 20 degrees of flexion, however, the anterior fibers of the medial collateral ligament are the primary restraint against valgus forces.