Elbow arthrodesis is a salvage operation designed to relieve pain and enable weight bearing in young patients with painful arthritic joints who have failed all other treatment modalities. Unfortunately, elbow arthrodesis is poorly tolerated by many patients because there is no fusion position that accommodates all activities of daily living. As indications for elbow arthroplasty expand and implant design improves, patients living with elbow arthrodesis may seek conversion to arthroplasty to regain a functional range of motion.
