Authors of section

Authors

Harry Hoyen, Simon Lambert, Joideep Phadnis

Executive Editor

Simon Lambert

Open all credits

Total elbow arthroplasty

1. General considerations

A total elbow arthroplasty performed for fractures is an inherently stable construct as the humeral and ulnar components are linked.

A potential disadvantage of this technique is the risk of stem loosening because of load transfer to the stem-cement-bone interface and polyethylene wear at the implant linkage.

Total elbow arthroplasty

Implant type

There are several total elbow arthroplasty systems available. Surgeons should refer to the manufacturer’s specific operative technique of their chosen implant for details. One system is illustrated in this procedure to demonstrate the generic techniques and principles.

Implant size

Compare implant size of the humeral trial spools with the patient’s native olecranon and radial head.

Sizing of the spool determines the stem size to be used.

Compare implant size of the humeral trial spools with the patient’s native olecranon and radial head.

Note: Ulnar nerve at risk

During arthroplasty, the ulnar nerve is particularly at risk during exposure, joint manipulation, and prosthesis implantation.

2. Patient preparation and approaches

Patient positioning

The patient is positioned in lateral decubitus or supine position according to surgeon’s preference.

The whole extremity should be prepared and draped.

The use of a sterile tourniquet is optional.

Approaches

For arthroplasty, access is needed to the whole distal humerus with additional access to the olecranon for total arthroplasty.

In general, triceps-sparing approaches (eg, paratricipital and lateral paraolecranon) are preferable to triceps-reflecting approaches (eg, triceps split or Bryan-Morrey) for all types of arthroplasty in fractures as they allow immediate rehabilitation with no need to protect a triceps repair and provide a more robust soft-tissue envelope which minimizes the risk of wound complications.

A transolecranon approach should not be used for total elbow replacement.

3. Humeral preparation

Removal of fragments

Remove the fractured articular fragments.

For a total elbow replacement, the epicondylar fragments may be excised or retained.

Removing fractured articular fragments

In almost all distal humeral fractures, the roof of the olecranon fossa remains in continuity with the humeral shaft regardless of fracture comminution.

This is the landmark for entry to the humeral canal.

The roof of the olecranon fossa remains in continuity with the humeral shaft regardless of fracture comminution.

Opening the medullary canal

Open the olecranon fossa roof with a high-speed burr or bone nibbler and broach the humeral canal sequentially.

Alternatively, a guide wire and cannulated reamer may be used before broaching.

Opening the olecranon fossa roof with a high-speed burr or bone nibbler and broaching the humeral canal sequentially

Implant length

Broach up to the depth where the laser line on the broaching instrument is parallel to the flexion/extension axis of the humerus.

In fractures, the bony landmarks may not be intact, so the olecranon fossa roof should be used as a guide for depth and implant length.

Another way of assessing implant length is to provisionally reduce the fractured condyles around the shaft. The flexion/extension axis lies parallel to the inferior margin of the medial epicondyle.

Remove with a saw, bone nibbler, or rongeur, all remaining bony prominence that will hinder further preparation or proper implant insertion.

Broaching up to the depth where the laser line on the broaching instrument is parallel to the flexion/extension axis of the humerus

Implant rotation

To prepare for the fins of the humeral component, insert the gusset broach in correct rotation into the humerus until the laser line is level with the flexion/extension axis of the humerus.

To prepare for the fins of the humeral component, insert the gusset broach in correct rotation into the humerus until the laser line is level with the flexion/extension axis of the humerus.

It is important to place the humeral component in the correct rotation. The implant rotation should be parallel to the epicondylar axis.

Epicondylar axis

In a fracture, these bony landmarks may be disrupted. In this situation, rotation can be referenced from the flat surface of the intact humerus proximal to the olecranon fossa. The implant should be 10°–15° internally rotated to this landmark to match the correct native rotation.

Posterior cortical line and axis of rotation

Humeral trial

Insert the appropriately sized humeral trial and confirm satisfactory position.

Inserting the appropriately sized humeral trial

4. Ulnar preparation

Removal of the articular surface

Place the appropriately sized articular spool in the greater sigmoid notch of the ulna.

Use the bell saw and jig to remove the articular surface of the olecranon.

An alternative method is to remove the articular surface with a barrel reamer or high-speed burr.

The radial head can be resected at this point if desired.

Removal of ulnar articular surface with a bell saw

Opening the medullary canal

Open the ulnar canal at the base of the coronoid with a high-speed burr.

13 P400 Total elbow arthroplasty

Ulnar broaching

It may be easier to use a cannulated reamer to expand the ulnar diaphysis before broaching.

Reaming the ulnar shaft

Broach the ulna sequentially up to the desired size.

Take care to ensure the ulna is broached in the correct rotation.

This can be referenced from the native radial head and/or the flat dorsal surface of the ulna. The correct ulnar component rotation is parallel to this surface.

Broaching the ulna

Ulnar trial

Insert the appropriately sized ulnar trial and confirm satisfactory position.

Insertion of the appropriately sized ulnar trial

5. Trial, reduction, and implant assembly

Trial and reduction

Reduce the two components to each other and link them to the ulnar cap. Check for range of motion and bony impingement.

Reduce the two components to each other and link them to the ulnar cap.
Pitfall: Pay attention particularly to ensure the coronoid does not impinge against the anterior flange of the humeral component as this can be a cause for loosening.
Ensure the coronoid does not impinge against the anterior flange of the humeral component as this can be a cause for loosening.

Final implant assembly

After removal of all trial implants, assemble the chosen components individually and prepare the canals for cementing.

6. Cementing technique and bone graft

A third-generation cementing technique should be used.

Insert low-viscosity cement in a retrograde fashion using a cement gun behind cement restrictors.

Narrow nozzles are required to fit inside the ulna.

Cementing the ulnar shaft

Insert the implants individually and remove any excess cement.

Reduce the joint and link the components.

Linking the two prosthetic components

Fashion a wedge-shaped cancellous bone graft from the resected articular fragments and insert it between the anterior humeral cortex and the anterior flange of the humeral component.

Insertion of a cancellous bone graft between the anterior humeral cortex and the anterior flange of the humeral component

7. Closure

In a total elbow replacement for fracture, the fractured condyles and collateral ligaments can be repaired around the humeral component or resected as the implant is linked.

Repair of fractured condyles and collateral ligaments around the humeral component

Management of the triceps depends on which approach has been used.

The ulnar nerve should be managed according to surgeon’s preference but should be free of tension or impingement against any metallic or prominent bony surface.

8. Aftercare

Immediate aftercare

If the soft tissues are vulnerable, it is recommended to rest the elbow in semiextension using a splint for up to 10 days.

Resting the elbow in semiextension using a splint

Rehabilitation and precautions

If a triceps-reflecting approach has been used, active extension should be avoided for 4–6 weeks to allow bone-tendon healing.

If a triceps-sparing approach has been used, no such restriction is necessary.

Following total elbow replacement, it is recommended that patients avoid lifelong heavy or repetitive use of the operated arm to minimize the risk of early polyethylene wear and stem loosening.

Go to diagnosis