Total elbow arthroplasty for distal humeral fractures in the elderly population: good functional outcomes and a high implant survival rate can be expected after surgery

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Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a viable treatment for elderly patients with distal humeral fractures unsuitable for open reduction and internal fixation.
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The study followed 37 patients with a mean age of 80.4 years for an average of 107 months, demonstrating good functional outcomes post-TEA.
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Patients achieved a mean range of motion of 130° flexion and 19.8° extension, with a visual analogue scale pain score averaging 3.3.
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The 5-year implant survival rate was 94.2%, with an overall revision rate of 11%, indicating high implant longevity.
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TEA provides reliable long-term function and pain relief in elderly patients, supporting its use as a primary treatment for complex fractures.

Frontiers In Surgery

by Giovanna Spina, Teresa Pugliese, Antonino Laganà, Lucrezia Moggio, Filippo Familiari, Giorgio Gasparini, Michele Mercurio
June 17, 2026

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