Revision surgery following a failed total elbow arthroplasty

The need for revision surgery following total elbow arthroplasty can be minimized if certain principles are observed. These include careful preoperative assessment for diaphyseal bone size, the presence of anatomic resources for arthroplasty, the possible need for future adjacent joint arthroplasties, meticulous surgical detail during the arthroplasty, and prompt diagnosis and correction of postoperative problems. Many of the problems following total elbow arthroplasty can be surgically corrected by replacing the high-density polyethylene bearing. Other problems are amenable to arthrodesis of the joint. Although the complication rate and need for revision surgery have diminished with improved implant design and improved surgical technology, it is helpful both to the patient and to the surgeon to discuss the potential problems and the risk versus gain ratio with the patient so that a clear understanding of the reconstruction is understood by everyone.