[Effectiveness of total elbow arthroplasty via olecranon osteotomy approach]

To investigate the effectiveness of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) via olecranon osteotomy approach.

Between January 2011 and December 2021, 22 patients (25 sides) with elbow joint disease were treated with TEA via olecranon osteotomy approach. There were 9 males and 13 females with an average age of 52.0 years (range, 32-80 years). The disease involved unilateral elbow joint in 19 cases, including 12 cases on the left side and 7 cases on the right side, and 3 cases with bilateral elbow joints. There were 3 cases (3 sides) of osteoarthritis, 7 cases (9 sides) of rheumatoid arthritis, 6 cases (7 sides) of traumatic arthritis, 4 cases (4 sides) of distal humeral fracture, and 2 cases (2 sides) of elbow tuberculosis. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate the elbow joint function, and imaging was used to review the position of the prosthesis and the healing of the osteotomy.

The operation time ranged from 53 to 120 minutes (mean, 90.6 minutes); intraoperative blood loss ranged from 10 to 200 mL (mean, 68.4 mL). All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3.9-126.7 months, with a median time of 47.6 months. At last follow-up, the MEPS scores of 22 patients ranged from 72 to 100 (mean, 91.6); the elbow joint function was rated as excellent in 17 sides, good in 7 sides, and fair in 1 side, with an excellent and good rate of 96%. Elbow joint ROM was 98°-140° in flexion (mean, 119.7°), 5°-23° in extension (mean, 13.9°), 70°-90° in anterior rotation (mean, 83.3°), and 63°-90° in posterior rotation (mean, 79.4°). The follow-up time of 17 patients (20 sides) without fracture and joint stiffness before operation was 3.9-126.7 months, with a median time of 53.9 months; at last follow-up, the MEPS score and the elbow joint ROM were significantly better than those before operation ( P<0.05). The follow-up time of 5 patients (5 sides) with fracture and joint stiffness before operation was 12.0-124.2 months, with a median time of 40.1 months. At last follow-up, MEPS scores ranged from 89 to 100 (mean, 91.2), and elbow joint ROM restored. Two cases (2 sides) developed ulnar nerve symptoms after operation, and 1 case (1 side) suffered from periprosthetic fracture and periprosthetic infection after revision, and the elbow prosthesis was removed. The prosthesis survival rate was 96%. During follow-up, no prosthesis loosening occurred.

The intraoperative visual field exposure of TEA via the olecranon osteotomy approach is sufficient, which can reduce the incidence of complications such as triceps weakness and ulnar nerve injury, effectively improve the function of the elbow joint, and obtain satisfactory effectiveness.