best-tolerated elbow prosthesis

[Guest guest]

Hi, Everyone,

I am doing some research for my sister, who has been suffering with RA

for many years. Because of the advanced stage of her disease, she has

undergone kneee prosthesis implantation three years ago. That surgery

was very successful. It was a titanium device.

About six months ago, she had a carbonized chrome (hope I got that

right) elbow prosthesis implanted. She has had nothing but pure hell

ever since, and in fact, the device had to be removed about six weeks

ago due to severe infection and inflamation. She has been on some

pretty powerful IV antibiotics for over two months.

Here's my question. If there is anyone on this list who has had a

successful elbow prosthesis implantation, could you please tell me

what type of device was implanted. Actually, I welcome replies from

anyone knowledgeable about the type of elbow implantation device that

is best tolerated by RA patients.

My sister is currently in a rehab hospital, and she is miserable not

knowing what the next step will be, or whether she will have to go

through this hell again. She does NOT want the joint fused.

Currently, she has a gaping hole where the elbow joint used to be, and

the " spacer " has been disolving and seeping out of her wound.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I want to do the best

I can to get my sister's life back on track. She is a wonderful lady

and has always enjoyed being active. She is quite dismayed about her

current situation, and needs a " light at the end of the tunnel. "

Thanks,

Genny

[Guest guest]

Genny,

Sorry, I don't know anything about the different materials. The only

experience I have had is when my mother had both of her knees

replaced, and it was a total success.

Your mother has been through so much. My heart goes out to you both.

I hope you get some good information in your quest to help her.

Keep up the good fight for her and keep yourself strong. I wish that

I still had my mother, I fought many a medical battle for her.

My prayers are with both of you for a good resolution for her elbow

and pain.

Shirley

>

> Hi, Everyone,

>

> I am doing some research for my sister, who has been suffering

with RA

> for many years. Because of the advanced stage of her disease, she

has

> undergone kneee prosthesis implantation three years ago. That

surgery

> was very successful. It was a titanium device.

>

> About six months ago, she had a carbonized chrome (hope I got that

> right) elbow prosthesis implanted. She has had nothing but pure

hell

> ever since, and in fact, the device had to be removed about six

weeks

> ago due to severe infection and inflamation. She has been on some

> pretty powerful IV antibiotics for over two months.

>

> Here's my question. If there is anyone on this list who has had a

> successful elbow prosthesis implantation, could you please tell me

> what type of device was implanted. Actually, I welcome replies

from

> anyone knowledgeable about the type of elbow implantation device

that

> is best tolerated by RA patients.

>

> My sister is currently in a rehab hospital, and she is miserable

not

> knowing what the next step will be, or whether she will have to go

> through this hell again. She does NOT want the joint fused.

> Currently, she has a gaping hole where the elbow joint used to be,

and

> the " spacer " has been disolving and seeping out of her wound.

>

> Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. I want to do the

best

> I can to get my sister's life back on track. She is a wonderful

lady

> and has always enjoyed being active. She is quite dismayed about

her

> current situation, and needs a " light at the end of the tunnel. "

>

> Thanks,

>

> Genny

>