Total elbow replacement with the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis: our medium to long-term results

Midterm follow-up of the Nexel total elbow arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Aseptic loosening is one of the most common complications of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Modern implants, such as the Nexel, have been designed in an attempt to decrease loosening. The present study aims to report implant survivorship, radiographic assessment of loosening and lucency, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients treated with the Nexel TEA at midterm follow-up.

METHODS

Consecutive series of adult patients underwent TEA using the Nexel by a single surgeon via standardized technique. Patients with minimum 3-year follow-up with radiographic and PROM data were included. Survivorship was defined by the absence of revision. Loosening was assessed via the Wrightington method by 3 independent fellowship-trained shoulder and elbow surgeons. Lucency was analyzed across individual radiographic zones on orthogonal radiographs. PROMs included the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH), Patient-Rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE), and EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D).

RESULTS

Thirty-eight consecutive patients (22 female, 16 male) with a mean age of 67 years underwent TEA via a triceps-sparing isolated medial window approach. Mean follow-up was 5.5 years (range 3-9). Primary diagnoses were as follows: 19 osteoarthritis (OA), 9 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 9 post-traumatic arthritis (PA), and 1 conversion of elbow arthrodesis. Overall survivorship was 97.4%, with 1 patient undergoing revision for infection. Loosening was found in 5.3% of elbows, averaged across 3 observers. Lucency was most pronounced at the level of the humeral condyles. PROMs demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful improvements in 76%, 92%, and 73% of patients for QuickDASH, PREE, and EQ-5D, respectively. No significant correlations were found between patient age, gender, loosening, lucency, and PROMs.

CONCLUSION

At midterm follow-up, the Nexel TEA demonstrated excellent overall survivorship and low rate of implant loosening. The single failure requiring revision for infection was conversion of a prior elbow arthrodesis. PROMs overall exhibited marked and consistent improvement from preoperative to final postoperative follow-up. Although promising, these results should be interpreted with some caution as long-term data regarding this prosthesis are still lacking.

Indications and outcome in total elbow arthroplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is the established treatment for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis but improved surgical techniques have resulted in expanded indications. The aim of this study is to review the literature to evaluate the evolution of surgical indications for TEA.

METHODS

A systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Case series and comparative studies reporting results after three types of primary TEA were eligible for inclusion.

RESULTS

Forty-nine eligible studies were identified (n = 1995). The number of TEA cases published annually increased from 6 cases in 1980 to 135 cases in 2008. The commonest indication for TEA throughout the review period was rheumatoid arthritis but its annual proportion reduced from 77% to 50%. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score significantly improved for all indications. Three comparative studies reported statistically improved functional outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis over the trauma sequelae group. Complication and revision rates varied; rheumatoid arthritis 5.2-30.9% and 11-13%, acute fracture 0-50% and 10-11%, trauma sequelae 14.2-50% and 0-30%, osteoarthritis 50% and 11%, respectively.

DISCUSSION

TEA can provide functional improvements in inflammatory arthritis, acute fractures, trauma sequelae and miscellaneous indications. Long-term TEA survivorship appears satisfactory in rheumatoid arthritis and fracture cases; however, further research into alternative surgical indications is still required.

Characteristics of Iatrogenic Nerve Injury from Orthopedic Surgery Correlate with Time to Subspecialty Presentation

There is no current literature examining iatrogenic nerve injury resulting from orthopedic procedures across subspecialties and anatomic areas. This study uses a single peripheral nerve surgeon’s experience to investigate the variable time to presentation of adult patients with iatrogenic nerve injury after orthopedic surgery.

Multiple Cultures and Extended Incubation for Upper Extremity Revision Arthroplasty Affect Clinical Care: A Cohort Study

Skin flora organisms (SFOs) isolated from 1 to 2 tissue samples during shoulder and elbow revision arthroplasty are difficult to distinguish as contamination or infection. We examined the change in clinical care after implementation of an Arthroplasty Infection Protocol by increasing the number of intraoperative samples held for 10-day incubation to a minimum of 5.

Methods

Infection was defined as ≥3 cultures growing the same SFO or any one culture growing any other virulent organism. SFOs growing in 1 to 2 samples were defined as skin flora contaminant. All cases were compared with pre-Arthroplasty Infection Protocol institution standard to determine changes in microbiological diagnosis and resultant antibiotic treatment.

Results

Forty cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 50% of these were culture negative, and 35% grew Propionibacteria. When compared with the standard of obtaining one sample, this protocol altered the microbiological diagnosis and subsequent antibiotic treatment in 45% of cases (95% confidence interval 29% to 62%). This protocol had a predictive value of joint sterility in 95% of culture-negative cases (95% confidence interval 74% to 99%).

Discussion

The addition of 5 or more samples held for 10-day incubation reliably differentiated between joint infection, contamination, and sterility, which changed the course of care in 45% of surgical cases.

Functional Outcomes After Salvage Procedures for Wrist Trauma and Arthritis (Four-Corner Fusion, Proximal Row Carpectomy, Total Wrist Arthroplasty, Total Wrist Fusion, Wrist Denervation): A Review of Literature

Background:

Several salvage procedures for the arthritically destroyed wrist exist. Each of these has advantages as well as disadvantages.

Aims:

The aim of this article is to give practical insights for the clinician on: (1) biomechanical and clinical fundamentals of normal and impaired wrist motion; (2) difficulties in assessment of postoperative outcome between measured motion by the surgeon and self-reported outcome by the patient; (3) indications for each procedure; and (4) differences in functional outcome between partial and complete motion-preserving as well as complete motion-restricting salvage procedures.

Methods:

In trend, Proximal Row Carpectomy (PRC) is slightly superior over four-corner fusion (4CF) in terms of functional outcome, but the methodology-related postoperative motion is decreased for both procedures. Furthermore, PRC is easier to perform, needs lower costs, and has fewer complications than 4CF. Total Wrist Arthroplasty (TWA) has the advantage compared to PRC and 4CF that the preoperative motion values are preserved, but it is limited by decreased load-bearing capacity for the wrist. Total Wrist Fusion (TWF) is associated with a higher load-bearing capacity for the wrist than TWA, but it is limited for carrying out essential activities of daily living. Both PRC and 4CF can be combined primarily by wrist denervation. Wrist denervation alone does not impair the movement of the wrist.

Results and Conclusion:

Salvage procedures for the arthritically destroyed wrist should be detected regarding patients age- and gender-related claims in work and leisure. Not all of them can be successfully re-employed in their original occupations associated with high load-bearing conditions.

Heterotopic ossification after total elbow arthroplasty: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a known complication that can arise after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). In most cases, it is asymptomatic; however, in some patients, it can limit range of motion and lead to poor outcomes. The objective of this review was to assess and report the incidence, risk factors, prophylaxis, and management of HO after TEA.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed to retrieve all relevant studies evaluating the occurrence of HO after TEA. The search was performed in duplicate, and a quality assessment of all included studies was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 1907 studies were retrieved, of which 45 were included involving 2256 TEA patients. HO was radiographically present in 10% of patients and was symptomatic in 3%. Fewer than 1% of patients went on to undergo surgical excision of HO, with outcomes after surgery reported as good or excellent as assessed by range of motion and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. HO appears more likely to develop in patients undergoing TEA because of ankylosis, primary osteoarthritis, and distal humeral fractures. Surgical intervention is more likely to be required in patients in whom HO develops after TEA performed for ankylosis and post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

CONCLUSION

HO is an uncommon complication after TEA, with most patients in whom HO develops being asymptomatic and requiring no surgical management. Routine HO prophylaxis for TEA is not supported by the literature. The effectiveness of prophylaxis in high-risk patients is uncertain, and future studies are required to clarify its usefulness.

Results of cementless total elbow arthroplasty using the Discovery elbow system at a mean follow-up of 61.8 months

BACKGROUND

The available literature on the use of a cementless total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) design and its results are limited. This clinical study reports the outcome of the cementless Discovery elbow system.

METHODS

Patients were operated on by a single surgeon between 2007 and 2014. Nineteen patients (20 elbows) were available for review, 2 women (1 bilateral TEA) and 17 men. The age of the patients ranged from 27 to 75 years (mean, 48 years). The mean follow-up was 61.8 months (range, 12-156 months). Patients were assessed for range of motion, pain, and satisfaction level. Outcome scores included the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the Liverpool Elbow Score, and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (version 1). Radiographs were reviewed to evaluate for loosening.

RESULTS

The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 77.25, and the mean Liverpool Elbow Score was 6.76. The mean flexion range was 123°, and the mean extension lag was 35°. The mean pronation was 59°, and the mean supination was 58°. On radiologic evaluation, there were no signs of loosening; however, in 2 cases, nonprogressive radiolucent lines were observed. No signs of infection were detected at final follow-up, and no elbows were revised. More than 90% of patients were satisfied with the overall outcome.

CONCLUSION

The cementless TEA seems to be a reliable option for treatment of varying elbow diseases. Long-term results are needed to assess the survivorship of this design.

Why does total elbow arthroplasty fail today? A systematic review of recent literature

BACKGROUND

Total elbow arthroplasty is a relatively uncommon type of arthroplasty, which has undergone several design changes in the past four decades. However, research on improvement requires knowledge of failure mechanisms that can be addressed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review on modes of failure of total elbow arthroplasty.

METHODS

We conducted searches on PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases to identify studies describing modes of failure of primary total elbow arthroplasties. The results were coupled per type of total elbow arthroplasty and individual arthroplasty models.

RESULTS

A total of 70 articles were included in this systematic review. 9308 individual total elbow arthroplasties were identified with 1253 revisions (13.5%). Aseptic loosening was the most prevalent reason for revision (38%), followed by deep infection (19%) and periprosthetic fractures (12%).

CONCLUSION

Revision rates have been found similar to a systematic review published in 2003. The revision percentage of total elbow arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis is significantly higher than for trauma and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Aseptic loosening was seen less in linked implants. Infections and periprosthetic fractures did not differ between linkage design groups. Aseptic loosening remains the most frequent cause for revision of primary total elbow arthroplasty. Therefore, more research on the occurrence, progression and risk factors of aseptic loosening should be performed and lead to higher implant survival.

Mid-term outcome of total elbow replacement for rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE

To review the outcome of total elbow replacement (TER) in 21 patients after a mean of 64 months.

METHODS

Records of 12 women and 9 men aged 32 to 78 (mean, 59.1) years who underwent 22 TERs for rheumatoid arthritis by a single surgeon were reviewed. Functional outcome was assessed using the disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire. The range of movement and Kaplan- Meier survival curve was determined. Adequacy of cementation was assessed on immediate postoperative radiographs. Aseptic loosening was assessed on radiographs using the Mayo clinic scoring system.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 64 (range, 10-145) months, the mean DASH score improved from 72.3 to 46.8, mean flexion improved from 96.9º to 128.1º, and mean extension lag from 37.3º to 24.0º. The 5-year survival rate with symptomatic aseptic loosening as the end point was 100%, and the revision rate for all reasons was 69%. Cement mantle was adequate in 17, marginal in 4 (most lacked cement around the prosthesis tip), and inadequate in one who was clinically asymptomatic. At the latest follow-up, 4 patients had a type-1 radiolucent line and one had a type-2 radiolucent line of both components; all remained clinically asymptomatic. Two patients developed transient radial nerve neuropraxia. One patient underwent revision for peri-operative fracture. One patient underwent a 2-stage revision for deep infection. One patient underwent revision for bilateral periprosthetic fracture. One patient underwent revision for symptomatic aseptic loosening. No patient had elbow dislocation.

CONCLUSION

TER is a viable option for pain relief and functional improvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The long-term outcome of the Gschwend-Scheier-Bähler III elbow replacement

BACKGROUND

The Gschwend-Scheier-Bähler III (GSBIII) is a semiconstrained, sloppy-hinge total elbow replacement. We report the long-term functional and radiological outcome of a cohort of patients more than 10 years after surgery.

METHODS

All GSBIII prostheses implanted from September 1996 to June 2004 were identified from our surgical database. Functional and radiological assessments were performed at routine patient clinic visits, using the Oxford Elbow Score, the 11-item version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (QuickDASH), and plain radiographs.

RESULTS

From 1996 to 2004, 52 elbows in 40 patients were implanted; of these, 18 patients (23 elbows) had died, leaving 22 patients with 29 elbows available for follow-up. Three patients (3 elbows) could not be contacted. Functional and radiological data were available for 19 patients with 26 elbows (90%). Overall survival was a mean of 13.1 years (range, 10.6-16.4 years). Mean age at operation was 63.0 years (range, 49.5-80.6 years). There were 5 male elbows and 21 female elbows. Five total elbow replacements were performed for osteoarthritis and 24 for rheumatoid arthritis. The mean Oxford Elbow Score was 26.9 (range, 18-48). The mean QuickDASH score was 42.6 (range, 2.5-93.2). Of the 52 elbows in 40 patients, 4 elbows (7.7%) required further surgery, 2 (3.8%) of which were revisions. In addition, there was 1 intraoperative complication and 2 postoperative complications not requiring further surgery. Kaplan-Meier 10-year survival shows a 95.9% implant survival with revision as the end point.

CONCLUSIONS

The GSBIII elbow replacement provides good long-term function with a low revision rate and few complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV; Case Series; Treatment Study.

Clinical Outcomes of Semiconstrained Total Elbow Arthroplasty in Patients Who Were Forty Years of Age or Younger

BACKGROUND

Total elbow arthroplasty is not commonly used in young patients with advanced arthritis because of concerns regarding implant loosening and clinical failure. Until now, to our knowledge, there have only been a few studies on the outcome in younger patients undergoing total elbow arthroplasty.

METHODS

Twenty-three elbows in patients forty years of age or younger who underwent total elbow arthroplasty were reviewed retrospectively. There were nine elbows with posttraumatic arthritis and fourteen elbows with nontraumatic arthritis. The mean patient age at the time of the surgical procedure was thirty-three years (range, twenty to forty years), and the mean follow-up duration was 129 months (range, eighty-five to 227 months).

RESULTS

At the time of the latest follow-up, pain during motion decreased from a mean visual analog scale score (and standard deviation) of 5.8 ± 1.8 cm preoperatively to 1.6 ± 1.1 cm postoperatively (p < 0.001), and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score increased from 32.0 ± 9.4 points preoperatively to 81.1 ± 13.7 points postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean subjective patients' satisfaction score was 83.5 ± 11.7 points. The mean flexion-extension arc in the posttraumatic arthritis group increased from 37.8° ± 30.3° preoperatively to 120.6° ± 11.3° at the time of the latest follow-up, whereas that in the nontraumatic arthritis group increased from 24.3° ± 27.6° to 96.4° ± 21.2° (p < 0.001 for both). At the time of the latest follow-up, the loosening rate was 13% and mild-to-moderate bushing wear was observed in four elbows (17%). A revision surgical procedure was performed in five elbows (22%), of which three had revision surgery after fifteen postoperative years. The overall implant survival rates were 95% at the eight-year follow-up and 89% at the fifteen-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite concerns regarding the longevity of total elbow replacements in young patients, long-term follow-up after total elbow arthroplasty showed significant functional improvement and pain relief. Although a desirable range of motion after the surgical procedure was difficult to achieve in patients with preoperative ankylosis, total elbow arthroplasty in selected young patients showed acceptable loosening, reoperation, and implant survival rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Total elbow joint replacement for the treatment of distal humerus fracture of type c in eight elderly patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of elderly type C distal humeral fractures and discuss the clinic efficacy.

METHODS

8 cases of elderly type C distal humeral fractures, Male was in one case, female in seven cases, and the average age was 66.5 years (60-81). All cases were closed fractures because of falling and none had associated injuries. According to AO classification, type C1 were in one cases, C2 in four cases and C3 in three cases. The average time from injury to operation was 5.5 days (3-9), and the type of prosthesis which all cases replaced was Coonrad-Marrey. The postoperative follow-up was obtained regularly which the contents included Mayo elbow score, pain evaluation, the motion range and the stability of the elbow, muscle strength, examination of related complications such as heterotopic ossification, prosthesis loosening and nerve damage.

RESULTS

The incision infection was in one case, ulnar nerve symptom in two cases, weakness of musculus triceps brachii in one case and mild pain of elbow in two cases. The average motion rage of elbow was 103.5±3.2 degree (78-118) in flexion-extension and 126.4±4.1 degree (94-148) in rotation. All elbow joints were stable postoperatively, no prosthesis loosening and apparent wear was found. The heterotopic ossification was found in 1 case. The average Mayo elbow score was 85.2±3.4 (75-95), four cases of excellent and four cases of good.

CONCLUSION

The total elbow arthroplasty was recommended in clinic to treat elderly type C distal humeral fractures because the clinic outcomes are satisfied.

Total elbow arthroplasty: a prospective clinical outcome study of Discovery Elbow System with a 4-year mean follow-up

BACKGROUND

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is increasingly used for the treatment of advanced elbow conditions to reduce pain and improve function. However, TEA is still associated with a higher complication rate than total hip and knee arthroplasty despite advances in the design and surgical techniques. This prospective clinical study reports the outcome of the Discovery Elbow System (Biomet, Warsaw IN, USA), which has been in clinical use in the United Kingdom since 2003.

METHODS

The study included a total of 100 Discovery Elbows (April 2003 to January 2010) with a minimum 2-year follow-up, including 75 primary and 25 revisions (60% women and 40% men; mean age, 62 years). Outcome was assessed by means of the Liverpool Elbow Score, pain experience, patient satisfaction, range of motion, and radiographic imaging.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 48.5 months (range, 24-108 months). The Liverpool Elbow Score improved from 3.79 to 6.36 (P < .001). The percentage of pain-free patients was substantially increased from 7% preoperatively to 64% at the final follow-up. The patient satisfaction rate was over 90%. The flexion-extension arc and pronation-supination arc increased from 72° to 93° and from 86° to 111°, respectively (P < .001). Major postoperative complications included deep infection (2%), progressive aseptic loosening requiring revision (primary, 5%; revision 12%), persistent ulnar neuropathy (3%), and periprosthetic fracture (primary, 6.8%; revision, 8%).

CONCLUSION

The Discovery Elbow System resulted in improved function, reduced pain, and high patient satisfaction. Long-term results are required to assess the survivorship of this system.

A prospective multicenter clinical study of the Discovery elbow

BACKGROUND

Semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty is used to improve elbow function and reduce pain. Although effective, high complication rates exist, with the polyethylene bushing especially susceptible to failure. The Discovery Elbow System (Biomet Inc, Warsaw, IN, USA) contains a spherical bearing designed to minimize polyethylene wear. This prospective, multicenter clinical study investigated the 4-year (mean) outcomes of this elbow.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2009, 92 patients (71 women, 21 men; mean age, 63.9 years; range, 33.4-88.7 years) received 99 Discovery elbows at 4 centers. The study cohort was limited to 46 elbows with complete preoperative and minimum 2-year clinical (modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow score) and radiographic follow-up.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 4.1 years (range, 2-5.9 years). All American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons elbow score components improved significantly (P < .001). Mean flexion-extension arcs increased from 81° to 121° and pronation-supination arcs from 134° to 163° (P < .001). Loose locking screws in 2 elbows (first-generation screws), a loose polyethylene bearing in 1 (history of falls), and a condyle/bearing in 1 (deep infection) were exchanged. Among the 46 elbows, gross survivorship was humeral/ulnar components, 100%; condyles, 97.8%; bearings, 95.7%; and screws, 95.7%. One humeral component (2.2%) was radiographically loose but not revised. An additional elbow (elbow 47) that did not meet the criteria for inclusion (<2 years of follow-up) was revised due to a loose humeral component and was reported separately.

CONCLUSION

The Discovery elbow increased function and decreased pain with high survivorship at a mean of 4.1 years.

Long-term outcome of elbow resurfacing

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to review the long term results the Kudo and instrumented Bone Preserving elbow prostheses. The instrumented Bone Preserving prosthesis is the successor of the Kudo prosthesis, and both of these are nonconstrained elbow resurfacing prostheses.

METHODS

Fifty-five nonconstrained elbow prosthesis were implanted in 51 patients. Patients were evaluated with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand score. Revision or the necessity of revision was regarded as failure of the prosthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty-one prostheses (of which 3 instrumented Bone Preserving prostheses) were revised or needed revision, yielding a revision rate of 15.1% after 5 years and 36.5% after 10. The major reasons for revision were loosening in 10 cases and instability in 5. Eleven of the nonrevised patients died of unrelated causes, having little or no subjective problems until the time of death. There was no statistical difference between Kudo and instrument Bone Preserving implant survival. Most nonrevised patients were satisfied, according to the Visual Analog Scale for satisfaction. The median MEPS indicated fair to good results.

CONCLUSION

When comparing our results to those of other elbow prosthesis we must conclude that our revision rate is high, however, the outcome of the nonrevised patients is good. This study shows that the results of the Kudo prosthesis, which have been reported twice before by our department, have clearly deteriorated after an average follow-up of 174 months (the last study had an average follow-up of 58 months).