A posterior approach to the elbow joint

We describe a posterior approach to the elbow which combines the advantages of both splitting and reflecting the triceps. It gives protection to the u lnar nerve and its blood supply during the operation while providing excell ent exposure of the distal humerus. During closure, the triceps muscle can be tensioned, thereby improving stability of the elbow This approach has pa rticular relevance to unlinked total elbow arthroplasty allowing early reha bilitation of the joint.