Mid-term outcome of GSB-III total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients with post-traumatic arthritis.
BACKGROUND
We reviewed the mid-term outcome of GSB-III semi-constrained total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and compared the results of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those suffering from post-traumatic arthritis (PTA).


METHODS
Forty-five patients with 54 replaced elbows, with an average age of 69 (range 49-84) were clinically [using Mayo Clinical Performance Index (MCPI) and Liverpool Elbow Score (LES)] and radiographically assessed. The average follow-up was 54 (range 20-103) months.


RESULTS
Based on MCPI 82% of patients had excellent or good outcome. This figure was 88% for RA and 64% for PTA group (P = 0.22). Overall MCPI was 83.7(+/- 19) and LES 7.5 (+/- 1.8). Neither the MCPI (P = 0.39) nor the LES (P = 0.95) were statistically different between the RA and PTA groups. The mid-term outcome of GSB-III TEA is satisfactory.


CONCLUSIONS
The recommendation of TEA, including in patients with PTA, is supported.
Amirfeyz
Rouin
R
Orthopaedic Library, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Level 5, Queen's Building, Bristol, UK. ramirfeyz@yahoo.com
Blewitt
Neil
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries