Shoulder and elbow arthroplasty in younger patients.

Overview

Joint arthroplasty is common in elderly patients with arthritis. The success of joint arthroplasty in the elderly population has increased the indications for joint arthroplasty in younger patients. The success and increased indications are due to advances in technology and joint arthroplasty design and materials, as well as to bone-conserving approaches that are more applicable to younger patients. Although most joint arthroplasty procedures are for the hip and knee, the upper extremity (shoulder and elbow) is the fastest-growing segment of joint arthroplasty procedures. This article presents innovative approaches to shoulder and elbow arthroplasty that are designed to treat younger patients with arthritis of the shoulder and elbow.