Artroplastia de codo / Elbow replacement

La artroplastia de codo representa una buena alternativa terapéutica para un gran porcentaje de pacientes con importante destrucción articular. Sin embargo, muchos cirujanos ortopédicos no están familiarizados con los abordajes o técnicas quirúrgicas relacionados con la sustitución protésica del codo. Además, la incidencia de complicaciones es superior a la de la artroplastia de otras articulaciones, siendo las más importantes, la infección, el fracaso mecánico, la neuropatía cubital y las alteraciones del tríceps. Por estos motivos, la utilización de artroplastia de codo en el medio español puede que sea inferior a la ideal. Aunque las artropatías inflamatorias, como la artritis reumatoide, constituyen la indicación más frecuente para este tipo de intervención, las fracturas de húmero distal y la afección postraumática representan una indicación creciente. Este trabajo intenta resumir los conceptos actuales más importantes relacionados con la artroplastia de codo (AU)

Elbow replacement or arthroplasty is a good therapeutic option for a large percentage of patients with significant joint destruction. However, many orthopaedic surgeons are no familiar with the surgical approaches or techniques associated with elbow replacement implants. Furthermore, the incidence of complications is higher than in other joint replacements, the most important being infections, mechanical failure, cubital neuropathy, and problems with the triceps. For these reasons, the use of bone arthroplasty in Spain may be less than ideal. Although, inflammatory arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are the most frequent indication for this operation, distal humerus fractures and post-traumatic disease are a growing indication. This work attempts to summarise the most important current concepts associated with elbow replacement (AU)

[Elbow replacement]. / Artroplastia de codo.

Elbow replacement or arthroplasty is a good therapeutic option for a large percentage of patients with significant joint destruction. However, many orthopaedic surgeons are no familiar with the surgical approaches or techniques associated with elbow replacement implants. Furthermore, the incidence of complications is higher than in other joint replacements, the most important being infections, mechanical failure, cubital neuropathy, and problems with the triceps. For these reasons, the use of bone arthroplasty in Spain may be less than ideal. Although, inflammatory arthritic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are the most frequent indication for this operation, distal humerus fractures and post-traumatic disease are a growing indication. This work attempts to summarise the most important current concepts associated with elbow replacement.