RESEARCH - Similar results with 21 Kudo and 21 Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasties in patients with RA

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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2008 Jul 17.

Similar results with 21 Kudo and 21 Souter-Strathclyde total elbow

arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Skyttä ET, Remes V, Nietosvaara Y, Tallroth K, Paimela L, Ylinen P.

Department of Orthopedics, Surgical Hospital, Helsinki University

Central Hospital, P.O. Box 263, Kasarmikatu 11-13, 00029, Hus,

Finland.

INTRODUCTION: The results of different prostheses used for total elbow

arthroplasty (TEA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been reported in

only a few studies. Small differences in survival or function between

implants have been reported. We retrospectively evaluated the results

of 42 Souter-Strathclyde and Kudo TEAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between

1988 and 1994, 21 consecutive patients with RA and severe elbow

destruction underwent a Souter-Strathclyde TEA. Between 1994 and 1998,

another group comprising 21 consecutive patients with RA with severe

elbow destruction underwent a Kudo TEA. RESULTS: There were six

revisions for the groups combined, including four aseptic loosenings,

one fracture and one liner wear and metallosis. The 5-year survival

for the Souter-Strathclyde and the Kudo were 85% (95% CI 69-100) and

95% (95% CI 85-100), respectively. The difference between the groups

was not statistically significant as tested by the regression

analysis. The majority of the patients were free of pain at follow-up.

More than half of the patients were able to perform only light

housekeeping tasks and a considerable proportion even had difficulties

in maintaining personal hygiene. The elbow range of motion improved

only slightly after the operation.

CONCLUSION: Both the Souter-Strathclyde and the Kudo TEAs provide good

pain relief in the arthritic elbow leading to high patient

satisfaction despite the residual disabilities. Only small differences

in the results between the Souter-Strathclyde and the Kudo TEAs were

found. More than half of the patients were able to perform only light

housekeeping tasks and a considerable proportion even had difficulties

in maintaining personal hygiene. The elbow range of motion improved

only slightly after the operation.

PMID: 18633631

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18633631

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