The post traumatic arthritis and limitation of motion caused by extrinsic or intrinsic factors may result in the functional impairment of the elbow joint. The types of operative method for functional improvement ofelbow foint are elbow
arthrodesis,
total arthroplasty, distracton arthroplasty and correcton of contracture using hinge distractor.
The arthodesis can provide predictable stability and pain relief but it is rarely used because loss of joint motion.
Recently, improvement of semiconstrained prosthetic design has reduced the incidence of complication of total elbow joint replacement, but the success of these prostheses depends onth presence of good soft tissue, anatomical bony support and the
other
factors.
Distraction arthroplasty using hinge distractor permits gradual and controlled elimination of joint contracture whether they may be in flexion or extension position as well as regeneration of cartilage by continuous motion without load,
especially
in
young patient with damage ofjoint surface.
From Oct, 1991 to Oct. 1992, three young male patients who had posttraumatic contracture of the elbow joint and articular damage were operated on with hinge distractor device.
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