Excisional arthroplasty of the elbow

Thirty patients had excisional arthroplasty of the elbow, with interpositional Gelfoam and early mobilization. Most of the patients had residual disability from trauma. Most of the patients' results were evaluated four years or more after the operation: 80 per cent were pain-free and 90 per cent were able to return to their previous occupations. One patient had to be reoperated on and therefore was considered to have a poor result.