Abstract
Background
Disassembly of the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow replacement with the pin in pin locking mechanism has previously been reported. We present the largest series documented to date with failure of this mechanism.
Methods
A retrospective review of patients treated at the shoulder and elbow unit of the Northern General Hospital Sheffield UK.
Results
There were five men and one woman with a mean age at pin failure of 56 years (range 39 years to 79 years). One patient had failure of bilateral replacements and two patients had failure on two separate occasions. Three patients had undergone surgery for distal humeral fractures, two for non-inflammatory arthritis and one for rheumatoid arthritis. All patients required revision surgery. A mechanism of pin failure is proposed and the risk factors are identified.
Conclusion
Despite the redesign of the locking mechanism of the Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty, there remains a risk of pin failure. This would appear to be greatest in younger male patients undergoing a total elbow replacement for a distal humeral fracture or post-traumatic arthritis.
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