Post-operative Immobilization in Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review of Outcomes

The purpose of this analysis is to determine the effect of length of immobilization following total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for rheumatoid arthritis on the outcomes, complications, and survival of the implant. A review of TEA literature was performed. Post-operative motion was categorized into three groups: no post-operative immobilization (group 1), short-term 2–5 days immobilization (group 2), and extended 7–14 days immobilization (group 3). Thirty-six articles reporting on 43 studies involving 2,346 elbows in 2015 patients were included. Total complication rates were 23% at 8.9 years for group 1, 31% at 6.8 years for group 2, and 31% at 6.9 years for group 3. Survival rates were 79% at 15.3 years, 75% at 10.4 years, and 92% at 9.1 years for each group, respectively. Total complication rates were lowest in elbows without post-operative immobilization. However, survival rates were greatest in elbows with extended post-operative immobilization. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 31(4):209–217, 2022)

Key words: total elbow arthroplasty, rheumatoid arthritis, post-operative immobilization, complications, survival