ARTHROPLASTY OF THE ELBOW

Abstract
A survey of arthroplasty of the elbow has been made, forty-five patients having been evaluated clinically and roentgenographically an average of fourteen years following operation. The cases were not selected, and none was excluded from the series. Among these patients, 56 per cent. secured good results, 22 per cent. fair results, and 22 per cent. obtained unsatisfactory results. The roentgenographic findings in most instances fail to give a true picture of clinical function. The functional and roentgenographic results, with few exceptions, show little change after the first year following operation. It is to be concluded that fascial arthroplasty of the elbow, properly performed in selected cases, offers a reasonable expectation of 70 to 120 degrees of motion in a useful range, with good strength and stability, and with little if any pain except after strenuous use.