The Pritchard Mark II elbow prosthesis in rheumatoid arthritis

Twenty-five consecutive rheumatoid elbows treated with the Pritchard Mark II elbow prosthesis were prospectively followed for 3 (2-5) years. There were marked pain relief and increased motion after the operation. Two elbows were revised, one because of deep infection and the other because of loosening. There were no neuropathies or fractures. The major long-term complication was radiographic loosening (6/24), which mainly occurred in elbows with only moderate rheumatoid destructions.