Twenty-four elbows with rheumatoid arthritis underwent total replacement
arthroplasty with insertion of a hingeless surface-replacement prosthesis.
These were followed for an average of three years and ten months. Excellent
results were seen in fourteen elbows; fair, in seven; and poor, in three.
Satisfactory pain relief as well as good stability were obtained in all but
one elbow. Two elbows did not regain a useful range of motion. Proximal
migration of the humeral component was seen in one elbow, and persistent
subluxation with pain and instability was seen in another. No other major
complications were encountered. The very low incidence of loosening in this
series seems to substantiate the sound principle of the use of this type of
hingeless prosthesis.