This webinar is an AAOS member benefit: Members attend for free!

Description 

Primary elbow osteoarthritis is a functionally disabling condition primarily affecting middle-aged men engaged in manual labor, weightlifting, or throwing. Total elbow arthroplasty is particularly limiting for this population given its lifelong lifting restrictions and long-term complication and revision rates. This webinar reviews the full spectrum of joint-preserving options for such patients. Attention will be given to evaluation of the arthritic elbow, including assessment of blocks to motion, ulnar nerve pathology, and the respective roles of radiographs and CT in staging disease and surgical planning. Discussion will include nonoperative management and its limits, followed by a comparison of arthroscopic and open osteocapsular arthroplasty, including indications, surgical approaches (Outerbridge-Kashiwagi, lateral column, and medial "over-the-top"), reported outcomes, and complication profiles. Particular attention will be paid to ulnar nerve management and delayed-onset ulnar neuritis, a known complication following surgical management. Finally, discussion will conclude around salvage options for advanced disease and guidance on setting realistic patient expectations regarding motion gains and disease progression over time.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Perform a thorough history and physical examination of patients with osteoarthritis of the elbow and understand how to use X-ray and advanced imaging for staging and preoperative planning.
2. Describe the evidence supporting operative versus non-operative management of elbow arthritis and recognize appropriate indications for operative intervention.
3. Compare arthroscopic and open osteocapsular arthroplasty with respect to indications, expected outcomes, and potential complications, and identify appropriate indications for concomitant ulnar nerve management.
4. Identify patients who are appropriate candidates for salvage procedures such as interpositional arthroplasty and arthrodesis as an alternative to total elbow arthroplasty.

Webinar Director

Eric Wagner, MD, FAAOS

Co-Authors

Dennis DeBernardis, DO, Tej Joshi, MD, Mandeep Virk, MD, FAAOS

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

If you are unable to attend the live webinar, you may still register to be notified upon the availability of the recorded session. Access to the recording will be granted for a duration of 2 years.