Case Reports: Ipsilateral Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty Using Custom Interlocking Prostheses

Mark O. McConkey MD, Abdullah M. Baslaim MD, FRCS, William D. Regan MD, FRCS
Case Report
Volume 466, Issue 10 / October , 2008

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Abstract

Ipsilateral shoulder and elbow arthritis is not an uncommon problem seen in patients of upper extremity surgeons. If arthroplasty is required in both joints, there is a significant risk of periprosthetic fracture resulting from the stress riser occurring between the implants. We report the placement of custom interlocking shoulder and elbow prostheses in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The elbow prosthesis with an uncemented humeral component was placed followed 18 months later by a custom-designed shoulder prosthesis. An internal strut between the two prostheses was created. Seven years postoperatively, the patient was asymptomatic with no radiographic signs of impending failure.

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