title: Excision arthroplasty of the elbow in rheumatoid disease.
abstract: The results of ten excision arthroplasties of the elbow for rheumatoid disease are described. The operation may afford good relief of pain and a useful increase both of hinge motion and of forearm rotation. Instability is not a serious problem unless the patient has to bear weight on crutches. To increase stability after arthroplasty it appears that Kirschner wire fixation is advisable as well as a plaster cast. For advanced rheumatoid disease unilateral excision arthroplasty has a definite value, especially for patients confined to a wheelchair.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D004550:Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology