The Souter-Strathclyde elbow replacement in rheumatoid arthritis. 13 patients followed for 5 (1-9) years

13 Souter-Strathclyde unconstrained elbow prostheses for rheumatoid arthritis were followed for 5 (1-9) years. Pain relief was achieved in all the patients. Flexion-extension was increased by 22 degrees, and pronation/supination by 27 degrees. There were no infections. Three humeral components were radiographically loose, but no patient had any symptoms. One patient sustained a fracture of the distal humeral epicondyle, two patients developed neuropathies and one patient had a postoperative dislocation that needed treatment with an external Hoffman fixator.