Radiographic assessment of component orientation in elbow arthroplasty: A technical description

Abstract

We describe an alternative method of taking standardized radiographs of the elbow in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, taking into account fixed deformities. The technique enables assessment of the orientation of joint replacement components, including their axial rotational alignment. The accuracy of the method for calculating axial rotational alignment has been evaluated using a skeleton model. Within the 20° limits of arm position the accuracy was found to be on average 1.4° for the humerus and 2.2° for the ulna.