Abstract
Thirteen non-constrained ceramic total elbow-replacement prostheses were implanted in twelve patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Postoperative range of motion was not significantly improved, but satisfactory pain relief was obtained in all.
One patient required revision of the arthroplasty because of loosening, the cause of which was thought to be the invasion of the synovia into the space between the bone and the implants.
This type of prosthesis requires only a small degree of bone resection, so the reconstructive surgery is very easy to perform, but the ulnar component is difficult to insert and the incidence of proximal migration of the humeral component is very high. It is a successful procedure where there is not severe bone atrophy. But many patients with rheumatoid arthritis have this, and so the indication of this prosthesis is limited.
