Total elbow replacement as salvage of unsuccessful fracture repair

September 16th, 2007

Over the years I have been asked to evaluate patients who have been treated intially for a fracture of the distal humerus with fracture repair. In some cases stiffness, nonunion, post-traumatic arthritis result in ongoing pain and impaired function.

When patient age is 55-60 or older, revision with total elbow replacement becomes a feasible option. It provides reliable motion and pain-relief, but does necessitate limiting postoperative lifting to 5 pounds--to minimize the risk of loosening. We will discuss your options, which include redoing the fracture fixation versus elbow replacement.

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