RESEARCH - Postoperative results and complications of total elbow arthroplasty in patients with RA: three types of nonconstrained arthroplasty

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Mod Rheumatol. 2008 May 29.

Postoperative results and complications of total elbow arthroplasty in

patients with rheumatoid arthritis: three types of nonconstrained

arthroplasty.

Tachihara A, Nakamura H, Yoshioka T, Miyamoto Y, Morishita M, Koyama

T, Iwakawa K, Sakane M, Nakajima A, Yoshino S.

Department of Joint Disease and Rheumatism, Nippon Medical School,

1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.

Postoperative results and complications of total elbow arthroplasty

(TEA) conducted for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients at our

institute were studied. Primary TEAs were performed in 72 patients.

The mean follow-up period was 3.5 years. Three types of prostheses

were implanted: JACE prosthesis in 34 elbows, STABLE prosthesis in 13

elbows, and KUDO prosthesis (type 5) in 32 elbows. The outcome was

evaluated by the change in the range of motion and the Japanese

Orthopaedic Association functional evaluation score for the elbow

joint (JOA score). The arc of motion and the JOA score at discharge

and at final examination significantly improved in patients with the

three types of prosthesis. The loosening rates for the JACE, STABLE

and KUDO prostheses were 15, 23, and 0%, respectively, although the

follow-up periods were different. The loosening rate decreased to 2.5%

when the humeral component was fixed with cement. Intraoperative

fractures occurred in eight (10.1%) elbows and ulnar nerve palsy in

six. Deep infection developed in three (4.8%) elbows and was treated

by removing the prosthesis. Although there were considerable

complications, the marked improvements in pain and function favor TEA

in patients with rheumatoid elbow.

PMID: 18509592

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18509592

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Not an MD