Elbow arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. Function after 1-2 years in 20 cases

The function of the hand and arm was studied after total elbow arthroplasty in a consecutive series of 18 rheumatoid patients with a total of 20 primary arthroplasties and one revision. Extensive clinical evaluation with locomotion score and Sollerman's hand function test was undertaken preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively. The mean flexion range increased 25 degrees and extension lag decreased 5 degrees. Pain relief was achieved in all the cases, and 16 of 20 primary operated on elbows became fully painfree. Hand function score (max. 80) improved from 52 to 64, upper extremity score (max. 100) from 57 to 68 and subjective score (max. 100) from 46 to 58. Complications were 2 cases of ulnar nerve paresthesia and 1 epicondylar fissure.