[Total elbow arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis using GUEPAR prosthesis].
OBJECTIVE
We report a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with a total humero-ulnar and humero-radial GUEPAR prosthesis (GIII).


METHODS
The GUEPAR III elbow prosthesis is an anatomic polyethylene-metal gliding prosthesis designed to maintain physiological valgus. Right and left models are available in two sizes. On the humero-ulnar side of the prosthesis, was associated with a radial head, born on an intramedullary metallic stem, that can be fit with several sizes of mobile polyethylene cups. The 16 GIII prostheses were implanted in 1997 to 2001 in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Mean follow-up was 2 years.


RESULTS
Before surgical treatment, all patients had moderate or severe but invalidating pain. The Mayo Clinic score was 33 points. The Larsen radiographic score was grade III (7 elbows) or grade IV (9 elbows). Patients were reassessed 1 to 5 years after implantation of the GIII (mean follow-up 2 years). At last follow-up the mean Mayo Clinic score had improved from 33 to 90 points. Outcome was considered excellent for 15 elbows and fair for 1.


CONCLUSIONS
We review the indications for total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Semi-constrained prostheses are useful and necessary for the treatment of elbows exhibiting massive destruction, but the use of minimally constrained prostheses such as the GUEPAR III is becoming increasingly widespread. We use the GUEPAR III for 70% of our patients, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D020959:Polyethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*
D020959:Polyethylene
Prothèse totale bicompartimentaire de coude GUEPAR. Résultats dans la polyarthrite rhumatoïde (16 cas).