title: A medium-term follow-up study of 44 Souter-Strathclyde elbow arthroplasties carried out for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: The results of 44 primary Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasties performed on 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported, with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range, 17 months-12 years; median, 6 years). Of these patients, 63% reported complete freedom from pain in the elbow, 25% mild intermittent pain, and 12% moderate pain. The mean range of motion at follow-up was 97 degrees (range, 40 degrees -135 degrees ). This represented a mean gain of 16.5 degrees of flexion, but only a 1.5 degrees gain in extension. Twenty-sevenelbows had a range of motion of 100 degrees or greater compared with 13 before surgery. There was 1 permanent ulnar nerve palsy and 1 deep infection requiring debridement. Six cases (4%) required revision, 2 for olecranon fractures and 4 for loosening. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low functional demand, the Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasty performs well in abolishing pain and increasing independence in carrying out the activities of daily living.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, TRURO, Cornwall, TR1 3IJ, England, UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dainton
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods; D003646:Debridement; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome