Primary Outcome Measures:
- Patient examination measurements and radiographic measurements will be used to determine the effects of the Discovery Elbow implant [ Time Frame: Pre-operative to Five year post-operative appointment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
About 3 years ago, Biomet engineers began developing a completely different elbow system. They focused on problems of past elbow designs, including:
- Poor anatomic stem design
- Poorly reproduced elbow hinge mechanics
- Unrefined, cumbersome instrumentation, difficult technique reproduction
- Excess wear on hinge bearing
- Low-grade polyethylene
- Bearing difficult to service/revise
- Poor preservation of bone around the hinge With these challenges in mind, the Discovery™ Elbow began to take form.
Discovery™ design goals:
- Anatomic design
- Restore joint mechanics
- Long lasting hinge
- Accurate, user-friendly instrumentation
The rationale behind the Discovery™ Elbow was to create a device that closely matches the anatomy, while providing a superior hinge mechanism that is easier to assemble and revise should it become necessary. It was also a priority to create an instrument set that was ideal for a broad range of surgeons.