Abstract
Ten synovectomies and ten cutis arthroplasties of the elbow were performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Of 10 synovectomies, 2 were simple synovectomy without excising the radial head and 8 were radical synovectomy with the combined procedures of release of soft tissues and bone resection. These patients were followed up postoperatively for a minimum period of five years (average, 6.3 years in synovectomy and 7.6 years in cutis arthroplasty) . Postoperative clinical result of synovectomy was graded as excellent in two, good in seven, and fair in one elbow. The result of cutis arthroplasty was graded as excellent in one, good in five, and fair in four elbows.
It is considered that relief of pain and improvement of mobility can be expected even at an advanced stage by radical synovectomy, and cutis arthroplasty is of value for elbows with fibrous or osseal ankylosis.
