Total elbow arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis - 20 GSBIII prostheses followed 2-5 years

From 1993 to 1996, we implanted 20 primary GSB III prostheses in 17 patient s with rheumatoid arthritis. The Mayo Clinic performance index for the elbo w was used for the evaluation. The average follow-up was 3 (2-5) years. At the follow-up examination, 12 elbows had an excellent result and 8 a good r esult. The median performance index increased from 30 (15-53) points to 95 (80-100) points. The subjective assessment was excellent for 11 elbows, goo d for 8 and poor for 1. 2 elbows had radiographic loosening with a progress ive radiolucent line and a change in the orientation of the prosthesis.