Reconstruction With Achilles Tendon Allograft Using the Keyhole Technique for Chronic Triceps Insufficiency After Total Elbow Arthroplasty

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. E498 - e502
• Main Authors: Kwon, Byung Taek, Lee, Sung Hyun, Baik, Jong Seok, Lee, Yeong Chang, Kim, Jeong Woo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare Slack, Inc 01.07.2021; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Achilles tendon; Complications; Complications and side effects; Elbow; Fractures; Homografts; Infections; Injuries; Joint surgery; Osteoarthritis; Patient outcomes; Patients; Range of motion; Rheumatoid arthritis; Surgery; Tendons; United States
• ISSN: 0147-7447; 1938-2367
• DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20210618-07

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is associated with a relatively high incidence of chronic triceps insufficiency, but there is difficulty in treatment. This case series describes reconstruction with Achilles allografts using the keyhole technique in patients with postoperative chronic triceps insufficiency. Fourteen patients who underwent reconstruction for triceps insufficiency after TEA were included in the study. During this procedure, a keyhole-shaped osteotomy was performed on the proximal olecranon, and a fragment of the calcaneal allograft was shaped into a bone plug to fit the olecranon. The clinical outcomes were assessed in all patients 12 months after reconstruction and at last follow-up (range, 13–54 months). After 12 months, patients had a mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score of 84.3 (range, 75–100), and all achieved a marked improvement compared with before reconstruction (mean, 42.7; range, 20–75). Seven, 4, and 3 patients achieved excellent, good, and fair outcomes, respectively. The mean extension peak torque of the operated-on arm was 34.91 Nm (range, 16.3–63.9 Nm), and the percentage of extension peak torque of the operated-on arm to the opposite arm was from 14.5% preoperative to 76.2% 12 months postoperative. This case series suggests that triceps reconstruction with an Achilles tendon using the keyhole technique is a useful treatment option for triceps insufficiency after TEA. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(4):e498–e502.]