Elbow arthroplasty for advanced inflammatory elbow disease—rheumatoid arthritis and pigmented villonodular synovitis

Abstract

Abstract Background Total elbow arthroplasty is the treatment for end-stage elbow disease. In contrast to severe fractures and degenerative disease, inflammatory elbow disease is characterized by osteoporosis and surrounding soft tissue disorders. Aims To evaluate the clinical efficacy of total elbow arthroplasty, and to discuss the surgical skills and complication management of patients who received surgery through the retrospective analysis of the clinical and follow-up data. Methods 13 patients with advanced inflammatory elbow disease treated with semi-restricted CM prosthesis in the Department of Orthopedics of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2014 to June 2020. Through the retrospective analysis of the clinical and follow-up data, the clinical efficacy was evaluated, and the surgical skills and complication management of these patients were discussed. Results All patients were followed up for 13–89 months, with an average of (53.15 ± 24.20) months. The MEPS and HSS scores at each follow-up point after operation and at the last follow-up were satisfactory. There were 3 cases of periprosthetic fractures during the operation, 1 case of delayed incision healing, 1 case of ulnar nerve palsy, and 1 case of pain around the elbow joint after operation. Conclusion Elbow arthroplasty can effectively relieve joint pain, correct joint deformity, improve joint stability, and restore elbow joint function for patients with advanced inflammatory disease of the elbow joint.