Promising Results Reported From Soter-Strathclyde Elbow Arthroplasty

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Promising Results Reported From Soter-Strathclyde Elbow Arthroplasty

02/25/2002

By Rose

The Souter-Strathclyde elbow arthroplasty achieved a high success rate,

maintained five and ten years post operatively, say Finnish surgeons.

Surgeons from the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital in Heinola evaluated

the results of 525 primary Souter elbow arthroplasties in 406 patients

between 1982 and 1997. Participants included 372 women and 34 men, with

a mean age of 57 years old whose elbows were affected by chronic

inflammatory disease, usually rheumatoid arthritis over a period of a

mean 24.7 years (two to 70).

The researchers determined that about 30 percent of the joints were

considerably destroyed resulting in a significant loss of bone. A total

of 119 subsequently underwent a bilateral arthroplasty procedure.

In the elbows of 179 patients, the ulnar components were metal- backed,

and retentive. In the remaining 346 with better bone stock, the

non-retentive, all " polyethylene prostheses were used.

It was acknowledged by researchers that during the early years of this

surgery the complication rate was higher. Subsequently, due to

complications, a total of 108 further operations became necessary in 82

patients. Dislocations accounted for 26 patients requiring 30 further

procedures. In addition, 30 patients underwent 33 revision procedures

for aseptic loosening. Twenty-nine surgeries were required in 12

patients due to deep infection and two for superficial infection. Other

reasons accounted for 14 further surgeries.

Nonetheless, researchers note that the cumulative rate of success,

without aseptic loosening, was 96 percent and 85 percent respectively,

five and ten years after surgery.

Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2002 pp 72-82