SEMICONSTRAINED ELBOW PROSTHESIS

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: The goal of this study is to present results from a series of arthroplasties performed in our hospital in the past 3 years in terms of pain and mobility.

Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 14 arthroplasties were performed on 12 patients (including 2 revisions). Follow-up was lost on 3 patients. Of the 9 remaining patients, 5 were females and 4 were male. Average age was 59 years (42–75) at time of surgery. Two prosthetic models were used: Coonrad-Morrey in 5 cases (including one revision) and GSB-III in 6 cases (including one revision). The following conditions were treated: 5 cases of post-traumatic arthrosis of the elbow, one haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow with the elbow as the target joint, one case of rheumatoid arthritis, one supracondylar fracture with nonunion in an elderly patient, and one humeral fracture with post-traumatic arthrosis of the elbow.

Results: At the functional level, a postoperative articular balance of 118° flexion and −20° extension and free pronosupination was obtained, with the exception of 2 cases. There was complete elimination or a significant decrease in pain except in 2 cases where a certain level of pain persisted. Radiographically, poor positioning was not seen, but there was one case of septic loosening (resulting in resective arthroplasty) and one peri-prosthetic fracture requiring revision, since it led to instability and repeated dislocation. Other complications included neurologic problems (2), extension deficit > 30° (2), and residual pain (2).

Discussion and Conclusions: Although this study is still in the early stages and follow-up time is short (the study was initiated in 2000), we are seeing promising results in terms of mobility and cessation of pain, similar to various other studies. In terms of the percentage of revisions, complications, and patient satisfaction, results are also comparable to other studies, even though our study thus far has the disadvantage of being shorter. Nonetheless, we wish to present this study to demonstrate that even though elbow arthroplasties are in their infancy, results are promising, and there is hope that they will improve further in future with improved selection criteria, as happened in the past with knee and hip arthroplasties.