Abstract
Arthrodesis of the elbow joint addresses pain due to intra-articular pathology, but with significant functional limitations. Loss of motion at the elbow is not completely compensated by the wrist and shoulder joints and elbow fusion is thus purely a salvage procedure. Advances in joint arthroplasty have allowed surgeons to address the functional limitations of arthrodesis, but despite these advances the elbow is still one of the joint replacements with higher complication rate. Conversion of a joint fusion to arthroplasty has been reported for the hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle. The takedown of a surgically fused elbow was reported in German literature in 2013. We present the first such case report in the English literature with a 49-year-old male whose status is elbow fusion performed for trauma 31 years prior.
Highlights
The tradeoff for pain relief and stability provided by surgical arthrodesis is complete loss of motion at the joint
Total ankle arthroplasty has been reported as a viable treatment for a failed ankle fusion [10, 11]
We present the first case in the English literature of a conversion from an elbow arthrodesis to a total elbow arthroplasty
Summary
The tradeoff for pain relief and stability provided by surgical arthrodesis is complete loss of motion at the joint. Arthroplasty may provide equivalent pain relief while addressing the decrease in functional capacity. Conversion of painful glenohumeral fusion to total shoulder arthroplasty has been reported as early as 1975 [7,8,9]. Total ankle arthroplasty has been reported as a viable treatment for a failed ankle fusion [10, 11]. This, must be considered a salvage option as the wrist and shoulder joints are unable to completely compensate for motion loss at the elbow [12]. We present the first case in the English literature of a conversion from an elbow arthrodesis to a total elbow arthroplasty
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
