Capitellocondylar total elbow arthroplasty.
Sixty-nine non-constrained capitellocondylar metal-to-plastic total elbow-replacement prostheses were implanted in sixty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These patients were followed for an average of 3.5 years. Postoperative flexion and pronation were significantly improved, but no significant increase in postoperative extension or supination could be demonstrated. Based on a rating system evaluating pain and function, there were 87 per cent good or excellent results. The complication rate based on the total number of prostheses implanted was 39 per cent. Eight patients required revision of the arthroplasty: four for dislocation of the prosthesis, two for sepsis, one for loosening, and one for a fracture. Eight other asymptomatic patients showed minimum radiolucent lines adjacent to the ulnar component. No patient demonstrated radiolucent lines adjacent to the humeral component.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011183:Postoperative Complications