Helping Incorporate Research and Manual Techniques into your Massage Therapy Practice!
As an RMT, not only do I treat a lot of patients complaining of lateral elbow pain and discomfort, but I’m also vitally aware of my own body, the physical pressures, what torques and forces I’m placing into my own structure.
The lateral elbow is an exciting area where there is a great potential for possible injury, sensitization of tissue and dysfunction to occur. Recognizing how the structures interact to permit function and what happens when there is dysfunction is important to your practice. Heres a nice bit of research to inform you of just a few key structures of the lateral elbow complex.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
The aim of this study was to analyze the functional anatomy of the lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC) and the surrounding forearm extensors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Using 81 human cadaveric upper extremities, the anatomy of the forearm extensors-especially the anconeus, supinator and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU)-was analyzed. After removal of aforementioned extensors the functional anatomy of the LCLC was analyzed. The origin of the LCLC was evaluated for isometry. The insertion types of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament(LUCL) were analyzed and classified.
RESULTS:
The ECU runs parallel to the RCL to dynamically preserve varus stability. The supinator and anconeus muscle fibers coalesce with the LCLC and lengthen during pronation. The anconeus fibers run parallel to the LUCL in full flexion. The LCLC consists of the annular ligament (AL) and the isometric radial collateral ligament (RCL). During elbow flexion, its posterior branches (LUCL) tighten while the anterior branches loosen. When performing a pivot shift test, the loosened LUCL fibers do not fully tighten in full extension. The LUCL inserts along with the AL at the supinator crest. Three different insertion types could be observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
The LUCL represents the posterior branch of the RCL rather than a distinct ligament. It is non-isometric and lengthens during elbow flexion. The RCL was found to be of vital importance for neutralization of posterolateral rotatory forces. Pronation of the forearm actively stabilizes the elbow joint as the supinator, anconeus and biceps muscle work in unison to increase posterolateral rotatory stability.
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