Instability of the elbow treated with semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty. 1999

M L Ramsey, and R A Adams, and B F Morrey
Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

The results of nineteen semiconstrained modified Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasties performed in nineteen patients to treat instability were evaluated at an average of seventy-two months (range, twenty-five to 128 months) postoperatively. Preoperatively, all patients had either a flail elbow or gross instability of the elbow that prevented useful function of the extremity. The instability of sixteen elbows was the result of a traumatic injury or of the treatment of such an injury. The most recent result was satisfactory for sixteen elbows and unsatisfactory for three. The average overall Mayo elbow performance score increased from 44 points preoperatively to 86 points postoperatively. At the most recent follow-up examination, no elbow was unstable. The average arc of flexion was from 25 degrees (range, 0 to 60 degrees) to 128 degrees (range, 30 to 142 degrees), which represented a 58-degree increase from the preoperative average arc. Sixteen patients had little or no pain after the arthroplasty. There were four complications in four patients. Three complications (loosening of the humeral component in one patient and a fracture of the ulnar component in two) occurred postoperatively; all three were treated with a revision procedure. The other complication (a fracture of the olecranon) occurred intraoperatively and was treated with tension-band fixation; the most recent outcome was not affected. Radiographically, one patient had complete (type-V) radiolucency about the humeral component. None of the nine patients for whom true anteroposterior radiographs were available had evidence of wear of the bushings. The bone graft behind the anterior flange of the humeral prosthesis was mature in fourteen elbows, incomplete in two, and resorbed in two. One patient was excluded from this analysis because radiographs were not available. Instability of the elbow resulting in the inability to use the extremity is a challenging clinical situation. However, in patients who are more than sixty years old and in selected patients who are less than sixty years old but who have extensive loss of bone as a result of severe injury, have had multiple operations, or have rheumatoid arthritis, total elbow arthroplasty with a linked, semiconstrained prosthesis reestablishes a mobile, stable joint without premature loosening or failure of the components. In our experience, the use of customized implants, maintenance of the muscular attachments to the epicondyles, and reconstruction of the epicondyles to the implant were unnecessary.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007593 Joint Instability Lack of stability of a joint or joint prosthesis. Hypermobility, Joint,Instability, Joint,Laxity, Joint,Hypermobilities, Joint,Instabilities, Joint,Joint Hypermobilities,Joint Hypermobility,Joint Instabilities,Joint Laxities,Joint Laxity,Laxities, Joint
D007595 Joint Prosthesis Prostheses used to partially or totally replace a human or animal joint. (from UMDNS, 1999) Joint Prostheses,Prostheses, Joint,Prosthesis, Joint
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011474 Prosthesis Design The plan and delineation of prostheses in general or a specific prosthesis. Design, Prosthesis,Designs, Prosthesis,Prosthesis Designs
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D004551 Elbow Joint A hinge joint connecting the FOREARM to the ARM. Elbow Joints,Joint, Elbow,Joints, Elbow
D005260 Female Females
D005500 Follow-Up Studies Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease. Followup Studies,Follow Up Studies,Follow-Up Study,Followup Study,Studies, Follow-Up,Studies, Followup,Study, Follow-Up,Study, Followup
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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