The aim of this study is to report the implant survival and factors associated with revision of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) using data from the Dutch national registry. All TEAs recorded in the Dutch national registry between 2014 and 2020 were included. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and a logistic regression model was used to assess the factors associated with revision.Aims
Methods
There are concerns regarding complications and longevity of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in young patients, and the few previous publications are mainly limited to reports on linked elbow devices. We investigated the clinical outcome of unlinked TEA for patients aged less than 50 years with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We retrospectively reviewed the records of 26 elbows of 21 patients with RA who were aged less than 50 years who underwent primary TEA with an unlinked elbow prosthesis. The mean patient age was 46 years (35 to 49), and the mean follow-up period was 13.6 years (6 to 27). Outcome measures included pain, range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), radiological evaluation for radiolucent line and loosening, complications, and revision surgery with or without implant removal.Aims
Methods
This study aimed to answer the following questions: do 3D-printed models lead to a more accurate recognition of the pattern of complex fractures of the elbow?; do 3D-printed models lead to a more reliable recognition of the pattern of these injuries?; and do junior surgeons benefit more from 3D-printed models than senior surgeons? A total of 15 orthopaedic trauma surgeons (seven juniors, eight seniors) evaluated 20 complex elbow fractures for their overall pattern (i.e. varus posterior medial rotational injury, terrible triad injury, radial head fracture with posterolateral dislocation, anterior (trans-)olecranon fracture-dislocation, posterior (trans-)olecranon fracture-dislocation) and their specific characteristics. First, fractures were assessed based on radiographs and 2D and 3D CT scans; and in a subsequent round, one month later, with additional 3D-printed models. Diagnostic accuracy (acc) and inter-surgeon reliability (κ) were determined for each assessment.Aims
Methods
Ultrasound (US)-guided injections are widely used in patients with conditions of the shoulder in order to improve their accuracy. However, the clinical efficacy of US-guided injections compared with blind injections remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and efficacy of US-guided compared with blind corticosteroid injections into the glenohumeral joint in patients with primary frozen shoulder (FS). Intra-articular corticosteroid injections were administered to 90 patients primary FS, who were randomly assigned to either an US-guided (n = 45) or a blind technique (n = 45), by a shoulder specialist. Immediately after injection, fluoroscopic images were obtained to assess the accuracy of the injection. The outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the subjective shoulder value (SSV) and range of movement (ROM) for all patients at the time of presentation and at three, six, and 12 weeks after injection.Aims
Methods
Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a disabling condition that remains challenging for upper limb surgeons. Open elbow arthrolysis is commonly used for the treatment of stiff elbow when conservative therapy has failed. Multiple questions commonly arise from surgeons who deal with this disease. These include whether the patient has post-traumatic stiff elbow, how to evaluate the problem, when surgery is appropriate, how to perform an excellent arthrolysis, what the optimal postoperative rehabilitation is, and how to prevent or reduce the incidence of complications. Following these questions, this review provides an update and overview of post-traumatic elbow stiffness with respect to the diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, arthrolysis strategies, postoperative rehabilitation, and prevention of complications, aiming to provide a complete diagnosis and treatment path. Cite this article:
Cubitus varus is the most common late complication of a supracondylar
fracture of the humerus in children. Correction can be performed
using one of a number of techniques of osteotomy but each has disadvantages.
We describe a new technique for correcting post-traumatic cubitus
varus using a lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy. A lateral closing wedge isosceles triangular osteotomy was performed
in 25 patients (15 male and ten female with a mean age of 9.5 years
(6 to 12)) between May 2010 and April 2013. All patients had cubitus
varus secondary to malunion of a supracondylar fracture, with good
function of the elbow and a full range of movement. The osteotomy
lines were marked on the bone with an isosceles triangular template
made before surgery, after which the osteotomy was performed leaving
the medial cortex intact. Fixation was performed using two lateral
2 mm Kirschner (K)-wires and patients were immobilised in an above-elbow
plaster. By six to eight weeks callus was present and the wires
and cast were removed. Patients were reviewed at four and six weeks,
three, six and 12 months and then every two years until skeletal
maturity. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were categorised as excellent,
good or poor.Aims
Patients and Methods
Determining and accurately restoring the flexion-extension
axis of the elbow is essential for functional recovery after total
elbow arthroplasty (TEA). We evaluated the effect of morphological
features of the elbow on variations of alignment of the components
at TEA. Morphological and positioning variables were compared by
systematic CT scans of 22 elbows in 21 patients after TEA. There were five men and 16 women, and the mean age was 63 years
(38 to 80). The mean follow-up was 22 months (11 to 44). The anterior offset and version of the humeral components were
significantly affected by the anterior angulation of the humerus
(p = 0.052 and p = 0.004, respectively). The anterior offset and
version of the ulnar components were strongly significantly affected
by the anterior angulation of the ulna (p <
0.001 and p <
0.001). The closer the anterior angulation of the ulna was to the joint,
the lower the ulnar anterior offset (p = 0.030) and version of the
ulnar component (p = 0.010). The distance from the joint to the
varus angulation also affected the lateral offset of the ulnar component
(p = 0.046). Anatomical variations at the distal humerus and proximal ulna
affect the alignment of the components at TEA. This is explained
by abutment of the stems of the components and is particularly severe
when there are substantial deformities or the deformities are close
to the joint. Cite this article:
To prevent insufficiency of the triceps after
total elbow arthroplasty, we have, since 2008, used a triceps-sparing ulnar
approach. This study evaluates the clinical results and post-operative
alignment of the prosthesis using this approach. We reviewed 25 elbows in 23 patients. There were five men and
18 women with a mean age of 69 years (54 to 83). There were 18 elbows
with rheumatoid arthritis, six with a fracture or pseudoarthrosis
and one elbow with osteoarthritis. Post-operative complications included one intra-operative fracture,
one elbow with heterotopic ossification, one transient ulnar nerve
palsy, and one elbow with skin necrosis, but no elbow was affected
by insufficiency of the triceps. Patients were followed for a mean of 42 months (24 to 77). The
mean post-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association Elbow Score
was 90.8 (51 to 100) and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance score 93.8
(65 to 100). The mean post-operative flexion/extension of the elbow
was 135°/-8°. The Manual Muscle Testing score of the triceps was
5 in 23 elbows and 2 in two elbows (one patient). The mean alignment
of the implants examined by 3D-CT was 2.8° pronation (standard deviation
( The triceps-sparing ulnar approach allows satisfactory alignment
of the implants, is effective in preventing post-operative triceps
insufficiency, and gives satisfactory short-term results. Cite this article: 2015;97-B:1096–1101.
