The elbow arthroplasty in young patients

Purpose. To optimize the results of treating the elbow severe injuries and their consequences, as well as the elbow diseases in young patients, to evaluate the immediate and mid-term results of the elbow arthroplasty in young patients. Materials and Methods. We have analyzed the results of 52 surgeries of primary total arthroplasty of the elbow in patients at the age below 40 years. We used the implants by Endoservice (Russia) and those Coonrad-Morrey by Zimmer (USA). The main indications for the elbow arthroplasty in young age developed. The technique of surgery and postoperative rehabilitation described. We evaluated the results according to ASES system (Richards R.R. et al., 1994). Results. The results of treatment analyzed within 1-10 years after surgery. Good and excellent results obtained in 78.8 % of all treated patients; satisfactory ones registered in 15.4 % of all treated patients. Unsatisfactory results of arthroplasty occurred in 5.8 % of the total number of operated patients. Conclusion. The elbow arthroplasty in young patients is a high-tech surgical intervention which is a traditionally used alternative, and in some cases it is the method of choice for treatment of some severe injuries and diseases of the elbow. It should be performed in the extreme and severe cases when the limit of other familiar techniques reached.