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What's New — Elbow — April 2026

11 new articles published this month.

Themes: Elbow Instability and Ligament Reconstruction · Biceps and Tendon Pathology Management · Elbow Fractures, Arthroscopy, and Biomechanics · Muscle Function and Diagnostic Testing

Digest generated 2026-05-09 04:01:47+00:00.

Highlights

Elbow Instability and Ligament Reconstruction

This theme addresses the diagnosis and surgical management of elbow instability, particularly involving the lateral collateral ligament complex. Article [4] evaluates the outcomes of transposing local extensor fascia for lateral collateral ligament reconstruction in competitive athletes, highlighting functional recovery in high-demand populations. Complementing this, Article [6] assesses the diagnostic validity of the sonographic posterolateral rotatory stress test for identifying atraumatic posterolateral rotatory instability, offering a non-invasive imaging alternative to clinical examination. These studies collectively inform clinical decision-making regarding ligamentous integrity and the efficacy of specific reconstructive techniques and diagnostic modalities for elbow instability.

Biceps and Tendon Pathology Management

Focus is placed on the distal biceps tendon and broader tendon biomechanics. Article [3] reports a thirty-six percent conversion to surgery rate for nonsurgical treatment of complete and partial distal biceps tears, providing critical data on natural history and treatment failure rates. Article [1] maps the origins of tendons on the lateral epicondyle, which is essential for understanding pathoanatomy in lateral epicondylitis and surgical approaches. Additionally, Article [11] presents a comprehensive dataset on the biomechanical, biochemical, and morphological properties of thirty-one human cadaveric upper limb tendons, aiding in graft selection and understanding tissue-specific injury mechanisms relevant to elbow and upper limb tendon repairs.

Elbow Fractures, Arthroscopy, and Biomechanics

This theme covers diverse topics including fracture management, procedural trends, and joint mechanics. Article [5] examines functional and radiographic outcomes after surgical management of complex proximal ulna fractures, offering insights into fixation strategies. Article [10] analyzes trends in elbow arthroscopy versus open debridement among ABOS candidates, noting a decline in arthroscopic volume but fewer complications with arthroscopic procedures. Finally, Article [7] provides an anatomical explanation of the screw-home motion of the elbow joint, enhancing understanding of normal kinematics. These articles collectively address surgical outcomes, procedural safety, and fundamental biomechanical principles of the elbow.

Muscle Function and Diagnostic Testing

This theme explores dynamic muscle function and diagnostic differentiation. Article [2] rethinking muscle testing by utilizing dynamic EMG studies to differentiate pronator teres and quadratus functions based on elbow positioning. This research offers a novel approach to diagnosing nerve entrapments or muscle dysfunction in the forearm and elbow region. By focusing on dynamic positioning rather than static testing, this study provides clinicians with improved diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing between similar clinical presentations, thereby influencing conservative management and surgical planning for upper limb neuromuscular conditions.

Articles by Theme

Elbow Instability and Ligament Reconstruction (2)

4. Bardellini G, De Crescenzo A, Filipponi M, et al. Transposition of the local extensor fascia for elbow lateral collateral ligament reconstruction: Results in a group of competitive athletes. Journal of ISAKOS 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jisako.2025.101059

The study evaluated the outcomes of using local extensor fascia transposition for lateral collateral ligament reconstruction in competitive athletes. Results indicate that this technique provides functional stability and allows for return to sport, offering a viable autograft option for high-demand patients.

6. Mahasupachai N, Premsiri A, Chanlalit C. The validity of sonographic posterolateral rotatory stress test for atraumatic posterolateral rotatory instability diagnosis. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2025.08.015

This study validated the sonographic posterolateral rotatory stress test for diagnosing atraumatic posterolateral rotatory instability. The findings confirm the test's diagnostic accuracy, suggesting it is a useful non-invasive tool for identifying this specific type of elbow instability.

Biceps and Tendon Pathology Management (3)

1. Kacena-Merrell C, Ngo S, Chow I. Mapping Origins of Tendons on the Lateral Epicondyle. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.05.016

This study maps the anatomical origins of tendons on the lateral epicondyle to clarify their structural relationships. The findings provide a detailed anatomical reference that may assist surgeons in understanding the etiology of lateral epicondylitis and planning surgical interventions.

3. Schultz MJ, Riebesell S, Kwan S, et al. Thirty-Six Percent Conversion to Surgery Rate for Nonsurgical Treatment of Complete and Partial Distal Biceps Tears. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.12.027

This retrospective analysis determined the conversion rate to surgery for patients treated nonsurgically for complete and partial distal biceps tears. The finding of a 36% conversion rate highlights the significant likelihood of surgical intervention despite initial conservative management, informing patient counseling.

11. Blaker CL, Ashton DM, Chang D, et al. The Biomechanical, Biochemical, and Morphological Properties of 31 Human Cadaveric Upper Limb Tendons: An Open Access Data Set. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2026. doi:10.1177/23259671261425673

This descriptive laboratory study characterized the morphological, biomechanical, and biochemical properties of 31 human cadaveric upper limb tendons to create an open-access dataset. The results provide essential baseline data to improve graft selection criteria and inform the development of new tendon reconstruction interventions.

Elbow Fractures, Arthroscopy, and Biomechanics (3)

5. Lopiz Y, Sanchez del Saz J, González-Santander Hernández C, et al. Functional and radiographic outcomes after surgical management of complex proximal ulna fractures: a retrospective case series. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2025.07.029

This entry lists the editorial board members for the journal and does not contain research findings or clinical implications.

7. Herregodts J, Duquesne K, Van Den Haute M, et al. Anatomical explanation of the screw motion of the elbow joint. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2025.08.018

This article provides an anatomical explanation of the screw-home motion of the elbow joint during its range of movement. The findings elucidate the biomechanical basis of this motion, enhancing understanding of normal elbow kinematics for clinical assessment and rehabilitation.

10. Gavalas A, Sandler A, Bacak C, et al. Arthroscopic Versus Open Elbow Debridements Among ABOS Part II Candidates: A Decline in Arthroscopic Volume yet Fewer Complications After Arthroscopic Procedures. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2026. doi:10.1177/23259671261425647

This study analyzed ABOS Part II case data to find that while arthroscopic elbow debridement volume declined between 2011 and 2021, it remained associated with fewer complications than open procedures. These findings suggest arthroscopy maintains a safety advantage despite shifting surgical trends among orthopaedic candidates.

Muscle Function and Diagnostic Testing (1)

2. Lunasin RM, Capell W, Kaufman KR, et al. Rethinking Muscle Testing: Dynamic EMG Studies of Elbow Positioning as a Differentiator of Pronator Teres and Quadratus Functions. The Journal of Hand Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2025.09.013

Dynamic EMG studies were conducted to evaluate how different elbow positions differentiate the functions of the pronator teres and quadratus muscles. The results suggest that specific positioning can isolate muscle activity, offering a refined approach to clinical muscle testing and diagnosis.

8. Unknown Author. Editorial Board. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/s1058-2746(26)00066-2

Précis unavailable.

9. Unknown Author. Sponsoring Societies. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery 2026. doi:10.1016/s1058-2746(26)00068-6

This article serves as a general overview of the sponsoring societies for the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. It lacks specific research findings or clinical implications due to the absence of an abstract.

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