Do outcomes of interposition arthroplasty in young patients differ based on indication? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Interposition arthroplasty of the elbow is often preferred in young patients compared with implant total elbow arthroplasty. However, research comparing outcomes based on diagnosis in patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) and inflammatory arthritis following interposition arthroplasty is sparse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare outcomes and complication rates following interposition arthroplasty in patients with PTOA and inflammatory arthritis.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were queried from inception to December 31, 2021. The search generated 189 total studies, of which 122 were unique. Original studies on interposition arthroplasty of the elbow in the setting of post-traumatic or inflammatory arthritis in patients aged <65 years were included. Six studies that were suitable for inclusion were identified.

RESULTS

The query yielded 110 elbows, of which 85 had received a diagnosis of PTOA and 25, inflammatory arthritis. The cumulative complication rate following the index procedure was 38.4%. The complication rate in patients with PTOA was 41.2% compared with 11.7% in those with inflammatory arthritis. Furthermore, the cumulative reoperation rate was 23.5%. The reoperation rates in PTOA and inflammatory arthritis patients were 25.0% and 17.6%, respectively. The average preoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Index pain score was 11.0, which improved to 26.3 postoperatively. The mean preoperative and postoperative pain scores for the PTOA patients were 4.3 and 30.0, respectively. For the inflammatory arthritis patients, the preoperative pain score was 0 and the postoperative pain score was 45. The overall mean preoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Index functional score was 41.5, improving to 74.0 after the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that interposition arthroplasty is associated with a 38.4% complication rate and 23.5% reoperation rate, in addition to positive improvements in pain and function. In patients aged <65 years, interposition arthroplasty may be considered in those unwilling to undergo implant arthroplasty.