Management of elbow arthritis by interposition arthroplasty with abdominal dermal graft

Interposition arthroplasty (IA) is one of the oldest reconstructive options for elbow arthritis and is an alternative to total elbow arthroplasty in young active patients with moderate to severe elbow arthritis. In literature there is very little, if any, mention about relationship of post-operative functional recovery and time. In this study we assess the clinical and functional outcome of interposition arthroplasty using abdominal dermal graft.

Study was conducted retrospective and prospectively during 2014-15 on 18 elbows of 17 patients (10 females and 7 male) which were operated between 2010 and 2015 for elbow arthritis by interposition arthroplasty using abdominal dermal graft by a single surgeon. Etiologically 10 cases were post-traumatic, 4 cases inflammatory joint disease and 4 cases were post-tubercular. All patients were operated using standard kochers approach and above elbow Plaster of Paris were applied in 90° flexion and mid prone position till suture removal i.e. 2 weeks and range of motion (ROM) exercises started. Post-operatively patients were reviewed on 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and then yearly. Functional assessments were done using Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS).

The mean age of the patients were 34.33 years (16 years-50 years) and follow-up duration of median 22 months (minimum 12 months and maximum 50 months). Pre-operative the ROM of the patients were 0°-75° with median value of 25° which were significantly improved to 55°-135° with median value of 120° which was statistically significant with p-value of less than 0.01. Preoperative MEPS were 15-70 with median value of 45 which was improved to 85 to 100 with median value of 95 with p-value less than 0.01. Post-operatively 14 elbows (77.8%) has excellent and 4 elbows (22.2%) has good result. 5 (27.7%) elbow has mild instability and in 3 patients has hypertrophic scar over donor site.

It's a very cost effective treatment as compared to total elbow arthroplasty. It provides superior functional outcome than other kind of salvageable procedure like arthrodesis and patient's satisfaction is very high after surgery as pain subsided and range of motion improved. Most of the patients returned to their previous occupation by 6 months after surgery.