STIFF ELBOW TREATMENT BY INTERPOSING ARTHROPLASTY ASSOCIATED TO HINGED EXTERNAL FIXATOR

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Stiff elbow presents a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery, often resulting from trauma, infection, or inflammatory arthritis.
• Limited range of motion in the elbow joint severely impacts daily activities and quality of life.
• Traditional treatment options may be unsuitable for certain patient populations, necessitating alternative surgical approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of fascia lata interposing arthroplasty combined with a hinged external fixator for treating stiff elbows.
• To assess functional improvements and patient outcomes in a cohort of patients who did not qualify for total elbow arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving five patients with stiff elbows who underwent fascia lata interposing arthroplasty and external fixation between 2001 and 2006.
• Inclusion criteria focused on patients with degenerative joint changes and limited elbow range of motion unsuitable for prosthesis.
• Patient outcomes were assessed using the Bruce-modified AMA criteria, with a mean follow-up of 54 months.

Main Results:

• All five patients demonstrated significant improvement in the Bruce index, increasing from a preoperative mean of 43.5 to a postoperative mean of 88.2.
• Postoperative functional outcomes were categorized as two excellent, one good, one fair, and one poor.
• The mean follow-up period was 54 months, indicating sustained functional gains.

Conclusions:

• Fascia lata interposing arthroplasty, when used with a dynamic external fixator, represents a feasible surgical alternative for managing stiff elbows.
• This technique provides a valuable treatment option for patients who are not candidates for total elbow replacement surgery.