Thirty-three patients had thirty-four consecutive primary
arthroplasties, with use of the Souter-Strathclyde cemented unconstrained
prosthesis, for severe rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow. The minimum
duration of follow-up for inclusion in the study was two years. Three
patients died. Four arthroplasties were revised: three, because of
irreducible dislocation immediately after the operation and one, because of
loosening without infection. One prosthesis was removed because of a late
deep infection. In most of the remaining twenty-five patients (twenty-six
arthroplasties), who had an average duration of follow-up of four years
(range, two to eight years), pain was markedly less or had resolved
completely, and the function of the elbow was greatly improved.