Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica
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Wound healing complications, predisposing to deep infection, are common following prosthetic surgery of the elbow. 50 capitellocondylar elbow prostheses were inserted, using a lateral approach, in 42 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The first 5 elbows were immobilized postoperatively for 5 days and the following 45 elbows for 12 days, because of delayed wound healing in 2 of the first 5 elbows. ⋯ The authors conclude that the lateral approach is safe to use in prosthetic surgery on the elbow. Early mobilization can delay wound healing, but this can be prevented by 2 weeks of postoperative immobilization.