Medial collateral ligament strain with partial posteromedial olecranon resection. A biomechanical study.

Background: Partial resection of the posteromedial aspect of the olecranon in the treatment of valgus extension impingement osteophytosis is a well-described technique. It has been hypothesized that removal of the normal olecranon process, beyond the osteophytic margin, increases the strain in the anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament.

Methods: We used an electromagnetic tracking device to investigate the strain in the anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament as a function of increasing applied torque and posteromedial resections of the olecranon in seven cadaveric elbows.