Case reports: ipsilateral shoulder and elbow arthroplasty using custom interlocking prostheses.

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.