Total Elbow Arthroplasty—Convertible

Indications for total elbow arthroplasty have expanded beyond treatment of advanced rheumatoid arthritis to include higher demand situations, such as complex distal humeral fractures and nonunions, primary or post-traumatic osteoarthritis, dysfunctional instability, and periarticular tumors. With expansion of indications, the use of unlinked implants may become more appropriate. The surgeon may choose between a linked or an unlinked device, based on the quality and function of the surrounding soft tissues and bone. On occasion, the clinical situation may require an unlinked device to be converted to a linked one or vice versa. We present here our preferred technique for the use of a convertible total elbow arthroplasty with a triceps-on approach.

Keywords: total elbow arthroplasty, linked, unlinked, convertible