Total Elbow Arthroplasty after Failed Surgical Treatment for Elbow Fracture or Dislocation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The current study reports the clinical results of total elbow arthroplasties (TEA) which were Performed on patients with poor clinical and radiological results after initial surgeries for elbow fractures or dislocations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical outcomes of twelve consecutive patients who underwent TEA after failed surgeries for elbow fractures or dislocations from january, 1995 to December, 2005 were evaluated. The initial diagnoses were distal humeral fractures in 8 cases and fracture-dislocations in 4 cases. The Mean period from the initial operations to the TEAs was 12 months. The mean folloow up period after TEA was 43 months. RESULTS: The mean range of motion, in terms of active extension, activeflexion, supination, and pronation, improved from 14.2degrees, 96.7degrees, 50.8degrees and 53.3degrees to 5.4degrees, 122.1degrees, 63.3degrees and 67.5degrees, respectively (p<0.05).RAdiolucent lines were found in 3 cases, which were 1 case of type 3, and 2 cases of type 4. All three loosening cases underwent revision TEAs. The mean postoperative Mayo elvow performance score was 79 point. There were 6 cases of excellent, 2 cases of good, and 4 cases in poor. CONCLUSION: Good clinical results were obtained after TEA performed in failed surgeries for elbow fractures of dislocations.