Update on elbow arthroplasties with emphasis on imaging

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Elbow arthroplasty is gaining traction for treating diverse elbow pathologies, including trauma, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis.
• Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a treatment option for severe, refractory elbow symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the various types of elbow arthroplasties.
• To outline the specific indications for each arthroplasty procedure.
• To describe normal postoperative imaging and identify potential complications.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on elbow arthroplasty techniques and outcomes.
• Analysis of imaging modalities used in pre-operative planning and post-operative assessment.
• Correlation of imaging findings with surgical and hardware-related complications.

Main Results:

• Different elbow arthroplasty types (TEA, hemi-arthroplasty, interposition, resection) have distinct indications.
• Postoperative imaging is crucial for evaluating surgical success and detecting complications.
• Common complications include surgery-related issues and hardware problems.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the nuances of each elbow arthroplasty type is essential for appropriate patient selection.
• Radiological assessment plays a vital role throughout the patient journey, from planning to follow-up.
• Familiarity with imaging findings aids in the timely diagnosis and management of elbow arthroplasty complications.