41 consecutive patients were managed for post-traumatic osteoarthrosis or dysfunction of the elbow with use of a non-customized semiconstrained Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis. The average age at the time of the operation was 57 years (range, 32 to 82 years). The patients were followed for an average of 5 years and 8 months (range, 2 to 12 years). Radiographs were made at least 2 years postoperatively (average, 5 years and one month; range, 2 to 12 years) for 39 of the 41 patients. According to the Mayo elbow performance score, 16 patients (39 per cent) had an excellent result, 18 (44 per cent) had a good result, 5 (12 per cent) had a fair result, and 2 (5 per cent) had a poor result. 36 (95 per cent) of the 38 patients who had a functioning implant at the time of follow-up considered the outcome to be satisfactory. Preoperatively, 37 patients (90 per cent) had moderate or severe pain; postoperatively, 30 (73 per cent) had no or only mild discomfort. Motion improved from an average arc of flexion of 40 to 118 degrees preoperatively to an average arc of flexion of 27 to 131 degrees postoperatively. All 38 functioning implants rendered the elbow stable. 11 patients (27 per cent) had a major complication. 9 of them (22 per cent of the series) needed an additional operation. There was no aseptic loosening, and most of the complications were primarily due to so-called mechanical failure. The ulnar component fractured in 5 patients (12 per cent), and the polyethylene bushings wore out in 2 (5 per cent). These complications were attributed principally to the performance of strenuous physical labor, such as lifting more than 10 kilograms on a regular basis, against the advice of the surgeon; excessive preoperative deformity of the joint; or an unstable traumatic injury. 2 patients (5 per cent) had an infection.
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41 consecutive patients were managed for post-traumatic osteoarthrosis or dysfunction of the elbow with use of a non-customized semiconstrained Coonrad-Morrey total elbow prosthesis. The average age at the time of the operation was 57 years (range, 32 to 82 years). The patients were followed for an average of 5 years and 8 months (range, 2 to 12 years). Radiographs were made at least 2 years postoperatively (average, 5 years and one month; range, 2 to 12 years) for 39 of the 41 patients. According to the Mayo elbow performance score, 16 patients (39 per cent) had an excellent result, 18 (44 per cent) had a good result, 5 (12 per cent) had a fair result, and 2 (5 per cent) had a poor result. 36 (95 per cent) of the 38 patients who had a functioning implant at the time of follow-up considered the outcome to be satisfactory. Preoperatively, 37 patients (90 per cent) had moderate or severe pain; postoperatively, 30 (73 per cent) had no or only mild discomfort. Motion improved from an average arc of flexion of 40 to 118 degrees preoperatively to an average arc of flexion of 27 to 131 degrees postoperatively. All 38 functioning implants rendered the elbow stable. 11 patients (27 per cent) had a major complication. 9 of them (22 per cent of the series) needed an additional operation. There was no aseptic loosening, and most of the complications were primarily due to so-called mechanical failure. The ulnar component fractured in 5 patients (12 per cent), and the polyethylene bushings wore out in 2 (5 per cent). These complications were attributed principally to the performance of strenuous physical labor, such as lifting more than 10 kilograms on a regular basis, against the advice of the surgeon; excessive preoperative deformity of the joint; or an unstable traumatic injury. 2 patients (5 per cent) had an infection.
Copyright remains with the authors and publisher.