Managing an Unstable Elbow after Posttraumatic Heterotopic Ossification Excision with a Kirschner Pin-made Hinge Internal Fixation: A Case Report

Elbow heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication following trauma or major orthopedic surgeries, leading to a limited range of motion (ROM) and potential dysfunction. Surgical treatment options for this condition include HO excision and total elbow arthroplasty (TEA). Although TEA has fair outcomes in terms of ROM, it is associated with considerable complications, making it less favorable than arthroplasties in other joints. For middle-aged patients, joint-sparing procedures such as HO excision may be considered. However, excision is not a simple bone-trimming procedure but involves complex tasks to reconstruct elbow stability, particularly when severe HO has affected soft tissues and ligaments. A hand-made K-wire hinge elbow device has been introduced as a surgical option, providing good initial elbow stability without sacrificing mobility. Despite the small sample size, this procedure showed promising results regarding the ROM and stability. Long-term implantation effects of the pins must be monitored closely.