The effect of implant linking and ligament integrity on humeral loading of a convertible total elbow arthroplasty

Authors

James R. Brownhill, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
J. Whitcomb Pollock, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
Louis M. Ferreira, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
James A. Johnson, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
Graham J.W. King, Hand and Upper Limb Centre

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2019

Journal

Shoulder and Elbow

Volume

11

Issue

1

First Page

45

Last Page

52

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1177/1758573217728292

Abstract

© 2017 The British Elbow & Shoulder Society. Background: Both unlinked and linked total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) implants have been employed with no consensus as to the optimal design. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of collateral ligament integrity and implant linkage on wear-inducing loads in a convertible TEA. Methods: Eight fresh frozen upper extremities were tested in an elbow motion simulator. A convertible TEA with an instrumented humeral stem was inserted using computer navigation. Elbow kinematics and humeral loading were recorded with the TEA both linked and unlinked. The collateral ligaments were then sectioned and testing was repeated. Results: In the dependent position, there was no effect of implant linkage or ligament sectioning on humeral loading. Humeral loading was significantly greater following sectioning of the collateral ligaments but not after linking the TEA with the arm in the valgus position. Humeral loading was significantly greater after linking the TEA but not after sectioning of the collateral ligaments and with the arm in the varus position. Conclusions: Collateral ligament integrity reduces wear-inducing loads for both an unlinked and linked TEA. Linkage of a convertible TEA increases humeral loading, which may have detrimental effects on implant longevity.

Notes

This article is provided under a creative commons license.

The article as originally published can be found at:

Brownhill, J. R., Pollock, J. W., Ferreira, L. M., Johnson, J. A., & King, G. J. (2019). The effect of implant linking and ligament integrity on humeral loading of a convertible total elbow arthroplasty. Shoulder & Elbow, 11(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.1177/1758573217728292

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