Post-traumatic Arthritis of the Elbow

Post-traumatic arthritis of the elbow is a rare and often debilitating disorder. Stiffness, pain, and loss of range of motion are common presenting symptoms. It is important to get a history of the fracture/dislocation event, along with treatment undertaken and infections and nerve symptoms encountered. Radiographs are often diagnostic with CT occasionally helpful. Non-operative measures can be utilized initially which include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, steroid injections, gentle range of motion activities, and activity modification. Surgical options include arthroscopy, ulnohumeral arthroplasty with debridement, interposition arthroplasty, and total elbow arthroplasty with arthrodesis used as a salvage procedure. Total elbow arthroplasty used in patients less than 60 years of age is associated with a high complication failure rate and subsequent reoperation. Isolated arthritis of the radiocapitellar or distal humerus joint can be treated with a variety of surgeries ranging from joint debridement to limited arthroplasty or resection.