Primary Total Elbow Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Complex Elbow Fracture: A Case Report

Pedro Miguel Campos

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DOI: 10.23937/2469-5777/1510005

Primary Total Elbow Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Complex Elbow Fracture: A Case Report

Pedro Miguel Campos^1*, Bárbara Rosa¹, André Barros¹, Carlos Durão², Glória Magalhães², Clara Júlio² and Pedro Quinaz Neto²

¹Orthopaedic Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
²Orthopaedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal

^*Corresponding author: Pedro Miguel Campos, Orthopaedic Resident, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, E-mail: pedro.mrcampos@gmail.com
Trauma Cases Rev, TCR-1-005, (Volume 1, Issue 1), Case Report; ISSN: 2469-5777
Received: April 30, 2015 | Accepted: July 30, 2015 | Published: August 01, 2015
Citation: Campos PM, Rosa B, Barros A, Durão C, Magalhães G, et al. (2015) Primary Total Elbow Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Complex Elbow Fracture: A Case Report. Trauma Cases Rev 1:005. 10.23937/2469-5777/1510005
Copyright: © 2015 Campos PM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Introduction: Some elbow fractures are very complex with inadequate bone stock, so it is not possible to perform a stable fixation. However, loss of basic elbow function can severely affect daily living activities. There are few alternatives to internal fixation, but arthroplasty can be a reasonable option. The aim of this case report is to evaluate the role of primary total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of complex elbow fractures

Case study: A 54-year-old male patient presented at our emergency department in the sequence of a motorcycle accident, which caused an open fracture of the left elbow, classified as type IIIB of Gustilo and Anderson. The X-ray showed comminuted fractures of distal humerus and proximal ulna with bone loss from both epiphysis. He started antibiotherapy and was submitted to immediate surgical debridement, provisional fixation with an external fixator and skin closure. The external fixator was removed 2 months after, when the patient presented with great elbow instability. The X-ray and the Computed Tomography showed signals of malunion and bone loss, which prevented any kind of fixation. Therefore, 3 months after, the patient was submitted to elbow joint replacement. A posterior approach was used, in which the triceps was reflected and was applied a linked arthroplasty - Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty. On the second week after surgery, passive motion was started and by the fourth week, progressed to active motion. Six months after, he presented without significant pain and with a range of motion of 0° to 135°.

Conclusions: Although rarely used, total elbow arthroplasty may be the choice in selected patients with elbow fractures with loss of bone. As shown in this case, this treatment can lead to a satisfactory functional recovery. Despite having some complications, more recent studies encourage its use in the future.

Keywords

Elbow, Comminuted fractures, Arthroplasty

Introduction

In the past, the indications for elbow arthroplasty were quite limited and included cases of rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthrosis [1,2]. Even in those cases, it was recommended in elderly patients with a low functional demand, due to its low durability [3,4]. Nevertheless, in the last few years, a reasonable evolution has occurred in terms of its indications and outcomes [5-7]. Nowadays, the use of elbow arthroplasty may be necessary in selected cases of complex fractures of the elbow, with good functional results [8,9]. The aim of this case report is to evaluate the role of elbow arthroplasty as a primary option in complex fractures of the elbow.

Case Study

We describe the case of a 54-year-old male patient, waiter of profession, who presented to our Emergency Department with a left elbow trauma in the sequence of a motorcycle accident. He presented an open fracture classified as type IIIB of Gustilo and Anderson (Figure 1). The X-ray revealed comminution of the distal humerus and proximal ulna with important bone loss of the articular surface of both (Figure 2). He began antibiotherapy with Gentamicin and Ceftriaxone and was submitted to immediate surgery. In what concerns soft tissue injury, he presented a great destruction of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments while nervous and vascular structures were intact. It was classified as type II of Tscherne. We performed surgical debridement, provisional fixation with an external fixator and skin closure. Favorable wound healing was verified and he finished the monitorized protocol two weeks later.

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Figure 1: Open elbow fracture at the admission. View Figure 1

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Figure 2: Elbow X-ray at the admission. View Figure 2

In order to exclude possible infection, we monitorized the C-reactive protein levels, which decreased gradually. Two months later, the X-ray and the Computed Tomography showed signals of malunion (Figure 3) and the external fixator was removed. In the postoperative period we noticed an important elbow instability and reduced mobility. We considered multiple treatment options and concluded that internal fixation would not be possible given the absence of adequate articular surfaces. In this sense, we decided to perform a total elbow arthroplasty three months after the accident. By a posterior approach, the triceps was externally reflected, the distal humeral extremity was regularized, the bone sequestra were removed and the ulna was prepared. A linked arthroplasty was applied - Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty. The extensor apparatus was inserted directly over the prosthesis (Figure 4). Ulnar nerve transposition was not necessary.

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Figure 3: Computed Tomography of left elbow. View Figure 3

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Figure 4: Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty. View Figure 4

In the postoperative period, we verified adequate healing and the X-ray revealed correct prosthesis implantation (Figure 5). Two weeks later, the patient began rehabilitation with passive elbow motion that gradually progressed to active motion. Six weeks after surgery, the patient was capable of feeding himself and began strength exercises. We verified a progressive increase in strength and in range of motion. Six months after arthroplasty, the patient resumed his laboral activity and presented with no pain or sensory alterations. Furthermore, he presented a range of motion of 0-135°, with a light supination deficit and a moderate muscular strength decrease.

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Figure 5: Postoperative X-ray imaging. View Figure 5

Discussion

The presented case refers to a patient with the diagnosis of an open elbow fracture with important distal humeral and proximal ulna bone loss. After initial fracture stabilization with an external fixator, it became mandatory to find a therapeutic alternative that permitted to restore elbow function and stability. Although osteosynthesis should be the first option, in this case, the huge bone loss (mainly articular) turned it unfeasible. Some last resort procedures have been described, such as immobilization with orthosis, arthrodesis or amputation [10]. However, these are associated with functional limitations and with worse aesthetic outcomes [11]. In this sense, a procedure that permits the reestablishment of the limb structural integrity, with pain remission and with strength and function improvement, is desirable. The total elbow arthroplasty emerges as a viable option in these cases. In contrast with previous reports, several authors have recently shown favorable results with this procedure in traumatic injuries [11-14]. The Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty allows to make up for the bone defects, to correct the limb structure and alignment and to stabilize the joint. Despite some pronation-supination limitations and strength deficits, satisfactory motion, that permits daily activities, can be obtained [15].

Historically, it was considered that elbow arthroplasty was related to low survival. This was one of the main reasons against its use. However, using recently developed materials, a 5-year-survival rate of 97,7% and a 10-year-survival rate of 91,0% are described [16]. Other described complications include ulnar and radial nerve injury, infections, delayed wound healing and periprosthetic fractures [16-18].

In this case, of an active young patient with a non- reconstructable fracture, last resort procedures would lead to an important functional loss with an associated worse quality of life. The elbow arthroplasty allowed pain remission and functional recovery with a high satisfaction index. We recommended the patient to avoid strength activities and plan to follow him on an annual basis, with clinical and radiological assessments.

Conclusion

Total elbow arthroplasty is a good alternative for elbow complex fractures. The indications for total elbow replacement in traumatic injuries included classic complications and sequelae of elbow fractures. However, more recent studies encourage its use as primary treatment in complex fractures. Despite having some complications, elbow arthroplasties can have good functional results, as we show in this case, with a prompt return to daily living activities.

References