54 patients in whom a total of 58 semiconstrained modified Coonrad elbow implants had been inserted for rheumatoid arthritis were followed for a mean of 3.8 years (range, 2 to 8 years). At the latest follow-up, there was little or no pain in 53 elbows (91 per cent). The arc of motion was from an average point in flexion of 20 degrees to an average point in flexion of 129 degrees, representing an average increase of 12 degrees of extension and 11 degrees of flexion. The average arc of pronation was 78 degrees, an increase of 14 degrees, and the average arc of supination was 77 degrees, an increase of 18 degrees. An additional 10 patients who had had insertion of 10 modified Coonrad implants during the same period were followed for less than 2 years but were included in the assessment of complications. 15 (22 per cent) of the 68 elbows had a complication: 4, infection; 8, acute or delayed condylar or ulnar fracture; and one each, ulnar neuritis, avulsion of the triceps, and fracture of the implant. Radiographic evaluation was performed for 54 of the 58 elbows; the other 4 were excluded from this evaluation because of infection. A satisfactory radiographic appearance of the cement was noted for all of the ulnar components and for 51 (94 per cent) of the humeral components. No patient had radiographic evidence of a loose implant. A reoperation was performed in 6 elbows (10 per cent of the 58; 9 per cent of the 68). Of the 58 elbows, 40 (69 per cent) had an excellent result; 13 (22 per cent), a good result; 4 (7 per cent), a fair result; and one, a poor result.
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54 patients in whom a total of 58 semiconstrained modified Coonrad elbow implants had been inserted for rheumatoid arthritis were followed for a mean of 3.8 years (range, 2 to 8 years). At the latest follow-up, there was little or no pain in 53 elbows (91 per cent). The arc of motion was from an average point in flexion of 20 degrees to an average point in flexion of 129 degrees, representing an average increase of 12 degrees of extension and 11 degrees of flexion. The average arc of pronation was 78 degrees, an increase of 14 degrees, and the average arc of supination was 77 degrees, an increase of 18 degrees. An additional 10 patients who had had insertion of 10 modified Coonrad implants during the same period were followed for less than 2 years but were included in the assessment of complications. 15 (22 per cent) of the 68 elbows had a complication: 4, infection; 8, acute or delayed condylar or ulnar fracture; and one each, ulnar neuritis, avulsion of the triceps, and fracture of the implant. Radiographic evaluation was performed for 54 of the 58 elbows; the other 4 were excluded from this evaluation because of infection. A satisfactory radiographic appearance of the cement was noted for all of the ulnar components and for 51 (94 per cent) of the humeral components. No patient had radiographic evidence of a loose implant. A reoperation was performed in 6 elbows (10 per cent of the 58; 9 per cent of the 68). Of the 58 elbows, 40 (69 per cent) had an excellent result; 13 (22 per cent), a good result; 4 (7 per cent), a fair result; and one, a poor result.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.