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. 2013 Apr;84(2):119-23.
doi: 10.3109/17453674.2013.784658. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Total elbow replacement: outcome of 1,146 arthroplasties from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project

Paul J Jenkins  1 , Adam C Watts, Tim Norwood, Andrew D Duckworth, Lech A Rymaszewski, Jane E McEachan
Affiliations

Total elbow replacement: outcome of 1,146 arthroplasties from the Scottish Arthroplasty Project

Paul J Jenkins et al. Acta Orthop. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Total elbow replacement (TER) is used in the treatment of inflammatory arthropathy, osteoarthritis, and posttraumatic arthrosis, or as the primary management for distal humeral fractures. We determined the annual incidence of TER over an 18-year period. We also examined the effect of surgeon volume on implant survivorship and the rate of systemic and joint-specific complications.

Methodology: We examined a national arthroplasty register and used linkage with national hospital episode statistics, and population and mortality data to determine the incidence of complications and implant survivorship.

Results: There were 1,146 primary TER procedures (incidence: 1.4 per 10(5) population per year). The peak incidence was seen in the eighth decade and TER was most often performed in females (F:M ratio = 2.9:1). The primary indications for surgery were inflammatory arthropathy (79%), osteoarthritis (9%), and trauma (12%). The incidence of TER fell over the period (r = -0.49; p = 0.037). This may be due to a fall in the number of procedures performed for inflammatory arthropathy (p < 0.001). The overall 10-year survivorship was 90%. Implant survival was better if the surgeon performed more than 10 cases per year.

Interpretation: The prevalence of TER has fallen over 18 years, and implant survival rates are better in surgeons who perform more than 10 cases per year. A strong argument can be made for a managed clinic network for total elbow arthroplasty.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Annual number of TERs over time.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Change in incidence over time for TERs carried out for rheumatoid arthritis.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Change in prevalence versus time for TER performed for non-inflammatory conditions
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Overall Kaplan-Meier survivorship with revision as endpoint. Bars represent CI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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