Clin Should Elbow.
2013 Dec;16(2):170-177.
Linked (Semi-constrained) Total Elbow Arthroplasty
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jeonchoi@gmail.com
- 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Police Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Total elbow arthroplasty is still in its infancy compared with other arthroplasties, such as knee or hip arthroplasties. Implant design has been evolving with clinical experiences; however, there are only limited data on the long-term clinical outcome of elbow arthroplasty in the literature. The design of total elbow prostheses can be divided into three categories: linked (constrained or semi-constrained), unlinked (unconstrained), and convertible types. The choice between an unlinked (unconstrained) implant and a linked (semi-constrained) implant depends on joint stability and adequacy of the bone stock. Linked elbow arthroplasty has provided high patient satisfaction, and pain relief thanks to proper patient selection, advancement of implant design, improvement in cement techniques, meticulous surgical technique, and appropriate postoperative rehabilitation. Concerns remain about the use of this implant in young or high-demand patients. This article focuses on the linked (semi-constrained) prostheses, which provides an overview of the current state of linked total elbow arthroplasty.