title: Long-term results with the Kudo type 3 total elbow arthroplasty.
abstract: From 1992 to 1993, 17 elbows were replaced with the unlinked Kudo type 3 total elbow arthroplasty in 16 patients with arthritic joint destruction. Of these elbows, 8 were available for clinical examination after a mean of 9.5 years. Of the 17 elbow implants, 5 were revised: 2 because of loosening of the ulnar component, 1 because of dislocation, 1 because of a periprosthetic fracture, and 1 because of a late deep infection. At 9.5 years' follow-up, 67.9% of the prostheses had survived, and the mean survival of the implant was 8.7 years (95% confidence interval, 7.5-10 years). In this study, we observed high rates of progressive valgus tilting of the ulnar component. This valgus tilting is of major concern because it provides more stress to a smaller area on the polyethylene. It may, therefore, cause an increased degree of polyethylene wear and, thereby, reduce the final implant survival rate.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Theis Muncholm
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Thillemann
authors.forename: Bo Sanderhoff
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Hans Viggo
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Johannsen
authors.forename: Jens Ole
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Søjbjerg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors