ELBOW PSEUDOARTHROSIS - CAUSES AND TREATM ENT

Non-unions in the proximity of the elbow are very rare and in most cas es caused by mistakes in initial treatment. Reconstruction after pseud arthrosis of the elbow continues to pose a challenge for any surgeon. The aim of our study was to analyze the initial mistakes and to underl ine the most important aspects of reconstructive surgery. In a retrosp ective study over a defined period of 10 years (1/1985 to 12/1994) we were able to treat altogether 27 non-unions in the proximity of the el bow. These patients were transferred to our hospital at an average of 44 weeks after initial therapy elsewhere. The main symptoms were in 17 cases pain and in all other patients functional deficit. Reconstructi ve surgery was performed an average 54 weeks after the primary injury. In 24 out of 27 cases a re-osteosynthesis, in 12 an arthrolysis,in 7 a neurolysis and in 2 cases an arthroplasty was needed. The patient co uld return to work an average 18 weeks after the operation and 53 week s after injury. The initial complaints were reduced in 24 of 27 cases, with a significant improvement in the ROM and functional outcome acco rding to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index.