Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to report the surgical technique, associated complications
and clinical outcome of elbow arthrodesis using a medially positioned plate.
Study Design This was a retrospective case series.
Results Six cases met the inclusion criteria. In all cases, the elbow was approached medially
without the requirement for ulnar osteotomy. A non-locking 2.7/3.5- mm pre-contoured
elbow arthrodesis plate was applied in 5/6 cases and a 2.0-mm String of Pearls plate
applied in one case. The mean angle of arthrodesis was 118° (range: 113–130°). One
major intraoperative complication occurred. Three minor and 3 major postoperative
complications occurred. Postoperative imaging was available for 5/6 cases. Complete
arthrodesis was confirmed by imaging in 4/5 cases, partial progression of arthrodesis
was documented in 1/5 cases and no further images were deemed necessary. Postoperative
Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs score was available for two cases with scores of
20/52 and 10/52, respectively. Subjective outcomes in the remaining three cases were
rated as acceptable more than 1 year postoperatively.
Conclusion Positioning the plate medially for elbow arthrodesis simplified the surgical approach,
could be performed with a pre-contoured plate and allowed successful revision of an
arthrodesis previously stabilized with a caudally positioned plate. The cases in this
series had acceptable outcomes despite a high risk of complications.
Keywords
elbow - arthrodesis - medial plate - angle of arthrodesis - outcome of elbow arthrodesis
- dogs
