Elbow Fusion (Subscribe)  

Brief report in JBJS A - Recent literature concerning surgery of the arthritic elbow has concentrated on prosthetic replacement; however, occasional patients are encountered who require surgery but are unsuitable for arthroplasty. If arthrodesis is contemplated the surgeon will find that many of the standard techniques were described during the era...

Indications
Few indications
Sepsis
Post traumatic OA in young patient

We reviewed 15 patients with an arthrodesis of the elbow using an AO compression-plate technique, after an average follow-up of 24 months. The most common indication was an open, infected high-energy injury with associated bone loss. Arthrodesis was successful in all but one patient in whom severe deep infection necessitated amputation. Eight patients were...

Clinical and xray views of (mostly) spontaneous elbow fusion following infection etc.

A 38-year-old woman who had a recent injury resulting in T-3 Frankel Class C paraplegia and a comminuted fracture of the right elbow is described in this case report. The elbow required an arthrodesis, but the position in which the elbow should be fused was not initially known. To illustrate...

Conclusion: The choice of position for elbow arthrodesis should be a patient's decision according to his or her specific needs. The optimal fusion position seems to be 110° for most activities and mainly upper extremity tasks whereas 45° to 60° is optimal for work-related activities. The patient should be informed...