Total Elbow Arthroplasty
What is a total elbow arthroplasty?
It is a replacement of the end of the humerus and the proximal portion of the ulna. It is a total joint like a hip or a knee.
Who is a candidate for a total elbow arthroplasty?
It is very difficult to function without an elbow. Ideally, we put them in older patients with low demand lifestyles. One is very limited after an elbow replacement because the design of an elbow does not “replace” the original design of our elbows. It is a replacement and has significant loosening and mechanical constraints.
What are restrictions on total elbow replacement patients?
They will have a lifetime lifting limit of 10 pounds. They cannot play sports or do manual labor of any type.
What is the long-term survivorship of a total elbow arthroplasty?
This is a difficult question to answer. The younger the patient, the more likely there is a complication or need for revision. This is also true for those being done for post-traumatic arthritis. This is due to increased activity in younger patients. One study showed that 92% of those done for RA were still in place and functioning after 10 years while 23-45% of patients that are post-traumatic had complications and needed other surgery.