Elbow arthroplasty: lessons learned from the past and directions for the future.

Joint arthroplasty in general has experienced tremendous advances over the past few decades. Numerous improvements in implant design, instrumentation, anesthesia, surgical techniques, intraoperative navigation, and materials have occurred in hip and knee arthroplasty. Although elbow arthroplasty also has seen continual improvements, much remains to be accomplished before elbow arthroplasty can be recommended to patients with the same level of confidence as hip or knee arthroplasty.