Abstract
We treated two intensely unstable elbows, which radiographs indicated to be Larsen grade III and IV with rheumatoid arthritis, by Kudo total elbow arthroplasty. Severe instability continued after operation and caused a radiographically loose ulnar component in both cases. Therefore intensely unstable rheumatoid elbows should not always be implanted, if one can not obtain sufficient spacer effect and lengthening of the joint by prosthesis with some bone graft and with minimum bone resection and soft tissue release.
