Doctors at Max Smart Hospital, Saket, Performs Rare Elbow Reconstruction Using Synthetic Polyester Ligament, Restores Movement within 24 Hours
Dr. Vikas Gupta, Principal Director, Max Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences and Orthopaedics, Hand & Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Specialist, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket
Doctors at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, successfully performed a rare and complex elbow reconstruction on a 53-year-old woman using a high-strength synthetic polyester ligament. The patient suffered a devastating elbow injury following a road accident. The procedure restored stability to her severely damaged elbow, enabling carefully supervised joint movement within 24 hours of surgery.
Ms. Alpana Gaur, a resident of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, sustained a catastrophic degloving injury (a severe trauma where a large section of skin and soft tissue is forcefully torn away from the underlying muscle, tendons, or bone) around her elbow in the accident. The trauma caused near-complete destruction of the soft tissues and critical ligament complexes responsible for stabilising the joint.
Alpana was initially rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid and was subsequently referred to Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, for specialised care. She was brought to the emergency department by her husband with severe pain.
Following a comprehensive clinical evaluation, the multidisciplinary upper limb trauma team decided to undertake a rare reconstructive procedure using a high-strength synthetic polyester ligament instead of conventional tendon grafts. This approach provided immediate movement and stability while eliminating the need to harvest tendons from other parts of the patient's body.
The complex surgery was successfully performed by Dr. Vikas Gupta, Principal Director, Max Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences and Orthopaedics, Hand & Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Specialist, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, along with his team.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Vikas Gupta said, "The patient had sustained one of the most devastating elbow injuries we encounter in trauma surgery. The entire soft tissue envelope responsible for stabilising the elbow had been destroyed. In most cases, some ligament tissue remains intact and can be repaired, but here there was virtually nothing left for conventional reconstruction. We therefore opted for a high-strength synthetic polyester ligament to recreate the damaged ligament complexes and restore immediate stability to the joint. This approach allowed us to preserve joint function while avoiding additional trauma associated with harvesting tendon grafts."
Dr. Gupta further added, "One of the biggest challenges in elbow reconstruction is preventing stiffness. Every additional day of immobilisation can significantly reduce long-term function. Achieving sufficient stability to safely begin movement within 24 hours after such an extensive injury is highly uncommon. Early rehabilitation gives the patient the best chance of regaining a functional range of motion and returning to normal daily activities."
The successful reconstruction highlights the growing role of advanced ligament reconstruction techniques in managing complex upper limb trauma caused by road traffic accidents, industrial
mishaps and other high-energy injuries. The team at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, is documenting the case in detail, given its rarity and the encouraging functional outcome achieved through this innovative surgical approach.
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