69 patients (78 elbows) who had rheumatoid arthritis were managed with a Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty between 1981 and 1986. At the time of the present review, 41 patients (46 elbows) were alive and had been followed for at least 10 years after the procedure (Group 1). The remaining 28 patients (32 elbows) had died or had had a revision less than 10 years after the procedure or had been followed for less than 10 years (Group 2). The patients in Group 1 had a younger mean age at the time of the procedure, but all other preoperative parameters were similar for both groups. At the latest follow-up evaluation, 97 per cent of the elbows (45 of the 46 in Group 1 and 31 of the 32 in Group 2) were not painful or were only mildly painful. The mean arc of flexion-extension was 28 to 131 degrees; this represents an increase of 13 degrees (15 degrees in Group 1 and 7 degrees in Group 2) compared with the preoperative value. The mean arc of pronation was 68 degrees, and the mean arc of supination was 62 degrees; this represents an increase of 21 degrees. The results for 74 of the 78 elbows (all 46 in Group 1 and 28 of the 32 in Group 2) were considered satisfactory by the patients. One patient thought that the status of the elbow was unchanged compared with preoperatively, and 3 thought that it was worse. 76 of the 78 elbows had long-term radiographic evaluation. There were 2 loose ulnar components. 5 bushings (7 per cent) were completely worn, and 6 (8 per cent) were partially worn. Complications occurred in 11 elbows (14 per cent) and were serious, necessitating reoperation, in 10 (13 per cent). Delayed complications included 3 avulsions of the triceps, 2 deep infections, 2 ulnar fractures, and one fracture of an ulnar component. In addition, 2 elbows were revised because of aseptic loosening. No patient had persistent ulnar neuritis or serious skin complications. According to the Mayo elbow performance score, 43 of the 78 elbows had an excellent result; 26, a good result; 7, a fair result; and 2, a poor result. The rate of survival of the prosthesis was 92.4 per cent, with 86 per cent good or excellent and 14 per cent fair or poor results.
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69 patients (78 elbows) who had rheumatoid arthritis were managed with a Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasty between 1981 and 1986. At the time of the present review, 41 patients (46 elbows) were alive and had been followed for at least 10 years after the procedure (Group 1). The remaining 28 patients (32 elbows) had died or had had a revision less than 10 years after the procedure or had been followed for less than 10 years (Group 2). The patients in Group 1 had a younger mean age at the time of the procedure, but all other preoperative parameters were similar for both groups. At the latest follow-up evaluation, 97 per cent of the elbows (45 of the 46 in Group 1 and 31 of the 32 in Group 2) were not painful or were only mildly painful. The mean arc of flexion-extension was 28 to 131 degrees; this represents an increase of 13 degrees (15 degrees in Group 1 and 7 degrees in Group 2) compared with the preoperative value. The mean arc of pronation was 68 degrees, and the mean arc of supination was 62 degrees; this represents an increase of 21 degrees. The results for 74 of the 78 elbows (all 46 in Group 1 and 28 of the 32 in Group 2) were considered satisfactory by the patients. One patient thought that the status of the elbow was unchanged compared with preoperatively, and 3 thought that it was worse. 76 of the 78 elbows had long-term radiographic evaluation. There were 2 loose ulnar components. 5 bushings (7 per cent) were completely worn, and 6 (8 per cent) were partially worn. Complications occurred in 11 elbows (14 per cent) and were serious, necessitating reoperation, in 10 (13 per cent). Delayed complications included 3 avulsions of the triceps, 2 deep infections, 2 ulnar fractures, and one fracture of an ulnar component. In addition, 2 elbows were revised because of aseptic loosening. No patient had persistent ulnar neuritis or serious skin complications. According to the Mayo elbow performance score, 43 of the 78 elbows had an excellent result; 26, a good result; 7, a fair result; and 2, a poor result. The rate of survival of the prosthesis was 92.4 per cent, with 86 per cent good or excellent and 14 per cent fair or poor results.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.