Total Elbow Arthroplasty Outcomes and Complications
Summary
Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has evolved into a valuable surgical option for a spectrum of elbow pathologies, including inflammatory arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis and complex distal humeral fractures. Overall functional outcomes are favourable in terms of pain relief and restoration of a functional arc of motion, yet complication rates remain higher than those seen in hip or knee replacement. Common adverse events include aseptic loosening, periprosthetic infection, mechanical wear and ulnar nerve dysfunction. Implant survival at ten years typically ranges between 80 % and 85 %, but varies with underlying diagnosis, implant design and surgical volume. Centralisation of services in high-volume centres, refined implant positioning and standardised postoperative regimens have all been shown to mitigate risks, although optimal strategies continue to be defined by ongoing research.
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Total Elbow Arthroplasty Outcomes and Complications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in total elbow arthroplasty outcomes and complications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA): Surgical replacement of the ulnohumeral joint with a prosthetic implant to relieve pain and restore function.
Aseptic loosening: Progressive loss of fixation at the bone–cement or bone–prosthesis interface in the absence of infection, often leading to implant instability and pain.
Periprosthetic infection: Bacterial colonisation of the implant or surrounding tissues, which may necessitate prolonged antibiotics or revision surgery.
Revision surgery: A secondary operation to replace or revise a failed or problematic prosthetic component.
Linked versus unlinked implant: Designs in which humeral and ulnar components are mechanically coupled (linked) or rely on intact soft tissues for stability (unlinked).
Implant survivorship: The proportion of prostheses remaining in situ without revision at a specified time point, typically expressed as a percentage.
Bone–cement interface: The junction between polymethylmethacrylate cement and host bone, critical for prosthetic fixation and load transfer.
References
- Total Elbow Arthroplasty. The Open Orthopaedics Journal (2011).
- Total elbow arthroplasty in England. The Bone & Joint Journal (2024).
- Long-term outcomes and trends in elbow arthroplasty with Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis: a retrospective study in large group of patients. International Orthopaedics (2024).
- Postoperative management of total elbow arthroplasty: Results of a European survey among orthopedic surgeons.. PLOS ONE (2022).
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