The role of total elbow replacement for elbow stiffness

April 25th, 2007

When severe post-traumatic arthritis, heterotopic bone formation, or capsular contracture restrict elbow motion after injury--thereby limiting hand fuction, restoration of functional motion may be obtainable with elbow replacement as opposed to attempts at preserving the native elbow joint in conjunction with excision of scar tissue, extra bone etc.

Although elbow replacment in such settings may be quite a complex option, superb outcomes are indeed possible--thus the importance of considering this option as an alternative to contracture release.

Related Photos:

AP elbow xray after radial head repalcement following elbow fracture-dislocation. Heterotopic bone formation resulted in loss of elbow motion

Preoperative lateral elbow xray shows heterotopic bone

AP elbow xray after total elbow replacement

Postoperative lateral xray

Related Videos:

Postoperative outcome following elbow replacement. Prior to surgery the elbow was fixed at 45 degrees, severely impairing use of the hand