[Post-traumatic arthritis in the young patient : Treatment options before the endoprosthesis]

In the young patient, treatment of post-traumatic elbow arthritis remains difficult. Total elbow arthroplasty must be delayed for as long as possible. Therapy starts with nonoperative treatment. If this fails, operative options can be discussed.

The aim of surgery is to provide a functional range of motion with acceptable pain without obstructing future treatment options.

Patients with pain at terminal extension and/or flexion may benefit from arthroscopic or open debridement. Patients with advanced osteoarthritis and pain throughout the complete range of motion, who are too young for total elbow arthroplasty, are offered interposition arthroplasty or arthrodesis. Arthrodesis of the elbow leads to significant restrictions in daily life due to the complete loss of extension/flexion. Therefore, arthrodesis is only offered as treatment in exceptional circumstances. Interposition arthroplasty is a reasonable option for the young patient without significant bony defects, which may provide a stable, functional flexion arc with an acceptable pain level. Interposition arthroplasty preserves the revision options of re-interposition arthroplasty as well as the withdrawal to total elbow arthroplasty. Partial and total elbow arthroplasty are treatment options of elbow arthritis but are not subjects of this article.