AI Article Synopsis
- This study reviews the long-term effectiveness of 3-part unlinked elbow replacements, finding that 70% of the implants failed after an average of 7 years, primarily due to instability, wear, and loosening.
- The analysis reveals that malpositioning of the ulnohumeral joint in post-op radiographs often correlated with these failures, signaling the importance of precise surgical technique.
- The findings emphasize the need for improved design in elbow replacements and better surgical practices, particularly if a radial head component is involved, to enhance long-term outcomes.
Article Abstract
Background: Documentation of the long-term effectiveness of 3-part unlinked elbow replacement is limited. The value of replacing the radial humeral articulation has not been addressed to any extent in the currently available literature.
Materials: A retrospective study of patient charts and radiographs of 37 patients receiving 46 primary Pritchard ERS arthroplasties between 1983 and 1992 were reviewed. Thirty-two implants (70%) failed after an average of 83 months (range, 0-198). Causes of failure were analyzed in detail.
Results: Kaplan Meier survivor analysis showed a 10-year survival of 54% (confidence interval: 40-71%). Main reasons for failure were instability, wear, and loosening. Immediate postoperative radiographs showed ulnohumeral malposition (valgus or varus) in 19 elbows, which directly correlated to subsequent failure. While this design has proven to be unsuccessful, it does document the need for precise technique and highlights the issue of replacing the radio/capitellar joint in future designs deserves further study.
Conclusion: An explanation of these disappointing outcomes resides both in an inadequate design and a poorly understood and executed surgical technique. The value of refined instrumentation to allow accurate and reproducible component implantation and soft tissue balancing is highlighted. These considerations are particularly relevant if the radial head component is to be used.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2008.11.014 | DOI Listing |
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Article Synopsis
- This study reviews the long-term effectiveness of 3-part unlinked elbow replacements, finding that 70% of the implants failed after an average of 7 years, primarily due to instability, wear, and loosening.
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- The findings emphasize the need for improved design in elbow replacements and better surgical practices, particularly if a radial head component is involved, to enhance long-term outcomes.
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