Rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow

Prevalence of wound infections and postoperative complications after total elbow arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis: A meta-analysis

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence of surgical site wound infections and postoperative complications after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for clinical research and application. Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM, and Wanfang databases were electronically searched to collect clinical studies on the application of TEA in the treatment of RA from inception to August 2023. Two independent researchers performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A meta-analysis was performed using the R 4.3.1 software. Overall, 26 studies with a total of 2374 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that after TEA in patients with RA, the prevalence of surgical site wound infections and postoperative complications was 3.37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.68%-4.13%), and 31.63% (95% CI: 24.97%-38.28%), respectively. The prevalence of surgical site wound infections is low, whereas that of postoperative complications is high; thus, the safety of TEA remains debatable. Owing to limitations on the quality and number of included studies, the findings need to be verified in higher-quality studies.

Inflammatory arthritis and the elbow surgeon

The treatment of inflammatory arthritis with disease modifying drugs and biological agents had reduced the number of patients needing surgical treatment. Surgical treatment of patients with inflammatory arthritis is challenging not only due to the factors such as bone stock and status of soft tissue but also due to the comorbidities associated with inflammatory arthritis. Multidisciplinary approach to these patients is recommended to deal with the complex poly-articular involvement and systemic physiological impairment especially when planning surgery. This review will cover the key articular and peri-articular pathologies that can affect the elbow in inflammatory arthritis and discuss the treatment strategies available to the orthopaedic surgeon in their management. From surgical point of view, the rheumatoid elbow can be classified into 4 types: 1) classic soft tissue type with increased joint laxity, malalignment and instability; 2) osteoarthritic type with stiffness, hypertrophic joints (hypertrophic) and preserved alignment; 3) nodular type with subcutaneous nodules and enthesopathies but preserved jointly; 4) mutilans with bone and joint destruction. Surgical managements of the articular problem in each of the subtypes are discussed in this review. On the other hand, the seronegative arthritis such as psoarisis, gout and lupus seems to affect the peri-articular tissue of the elbow more than the joint itself and the disease specific management of the peri-articular soft tissue problems, such as enthesopathies and inflammatory nodules, are also outlined.

Rheumatoid arthritis in review: Clinical, anatomical, cellular and molecular points of view

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic autoimmune disease of the joints affecting close to 0.5-1.0% of the general population. Although the etiopathogenesis of RA remains elusive, the involvement of dendritic cells and type 17 T-helper cells appears to be pivotal in maintaining a state of chronic inflammation. RA is generally characterized by small joint involvement. A chronic inflammatory process leads to joint destruction and to tendon and ligament laxity and disintegration. These processes result in an imbalance of forces acting on the joints causing joint deformities including swan neck deformity, boutonniere deformity of the hands, flexion deformity of the wrist, lesser toe deformities, and others. In some instances, bony erosions subsequent to the RA disease process can result in life-threatening events including, for example, atlanto-axial subluxation, which can cause myelopathy and paralysis; and basilar invagination, which can cause brain stem injury and imminent death. Although less commonly involved, larger joints are not spared, as evidenced by the involvement of the elbow, hip, and shoulder joints in a sizable proportion of RA patients. The progression and prognosis of this disease entity are variable, guarded and dependent on the efficacy and response to treatment modalities employed. Inadequate management results in disease progression, which ultimately leads to joint erosion, destruction, deformities and substantial decrease in the functional quality of life. Clin. Anat. 31:216-223, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Primary Linked Semiconstrained Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Single-Institution Experience with 461 Elbows Over Three Decades

BACKGROUND

Elbow arthroplasty is the treatment of choice for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of a linked semiconstrained elbow arthroplasty implant design in patients with RA.

METHODS

Between 1982 and 2006, 461 primary total elbow arthroplasties using the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis were performed in 387 patients with RA. Fifty-five of the arthroplasties were performed to treat concurrent traumatic or posttraumatic conditions. There were 305 women (365 elbows, 79%) and 82 men (96 elbows, 21%). Ten patients (10 elbows) were lost to follow-up, 9 patients (10 elbows) died, and 6 patients (6 elbows) underwent revision surgery within the first 2 years. For the 435 elbows (362 patients, 94%) with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, the median follow-up was 10 years (range, 2 to 30 years).

RESULTS

At the most recent follow-up, 49 (11%) of the elbows had undergone component revision or removal (deep infection, 10 elbows; and mechanical failure, 39 elbows). Eight additional elbows were considered to have radiographic evidence of loosening. For surviving implants followed for a minimum of 2 years, the median Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was 90 points. Bushing wear was identified in 71 (23%) of the surviving elbows with a minimum of 2 years of radiographic follow-up; however, only 2% of the elbows had been revised for isolated bushing wear. The rate of survivorship free of implant revision or removal for any reason was 92% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 88% to 94%) at 10 years, 83% (95% CI = 77% to 88%) at 15 years, and 68% (95% CI = 56% to 78%) at 20 years. The survivorship at 20 years was 88% (95% CI = 83% to 92%) with revision due to aseptic loosening as the end point and 89% (95% CI = 77% to 95%) with isolated bushing exchange as the end point. Risk factors for implant revision for any cause included male sex, a history of concomitant traumatic pathology, and implantation of an ulnar component with a polymethylmethacrylate surface finish.

CONCLUSIONS

Elbow arthroplasty using a cemented linked semiconstrained elbow arthroplasty provides satisfactory clinical results in the treatment of RA with a reasonable rate of survivorship free of mechanical failure at 20 years. Although bushing wear was identified on radiographs in approximately one-fourth of the patients, revision for isolated bushing wear was uncommon.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Elbow rheumatoid elbow: surgical treatment options

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by peripheral polyarthritis. The elbow joint is estimated to be involved in 20 to 65 % of the patients with RA. The development of new pharmacologic agents and the adoption of early therapeutic interventions have translated into milder forms of polyarticular destruction. As a result, the traditional crippled rheumatoid patient has been replaced by rheumatoid patients with higher activity levels, higher expectations, and more demands on any reconstructive procedures performed. When nonoperative treatment is insufficient, surgery may be considered. Arthroscopic synovectomy has become the procedure of choice for rheumatoid patients with uncontrolled symptoms. Patients with more advanced joint destruction can be considered for elbow arthroplasty. Interposition arthroplasty may be considered for patients interested in avoiding the potential complications of elbow arthroplasty.

Clinical Outcomes of Semiconstrained Total Elbow Arthroplasty in Patients Who Were Forty Years of Age or Younger

BACKGROUND

Total elbow arthroplasty is not commonly used in young patients with advanced arthritis because of concerns regarding implant loosening and clinical failure. Until now, to our knowledge, there have only been a few studies on the outcome in younger patients undergoing total elbow arthroplasty.

METHODS

Twenty-three elbows in patients forty years of age or younger who underwent total elbow arthroplasty were reviewed retrospectively. There were nine elbows with posttraumatic arthritis and fourteen elbows with nontraumatic arthritis. The mean patient age at the time of the surgical procedure was thirty-three years (range, twenty to forty years), and the mean follow-up duration was 129 months (range, eighty-five to 227 months).

RESULTS

At the time of the latest follow-up, pain during motion decreased from a mean visual analog scale score (and standard deviation) of 5.8 ± 1.8 cm preoperatively to 1.6 ± 1.1 cm postoperatively (p < 0.001), and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score increased from 32.0 ± 9.4 points preoperatively to 81.1 ± 13.7 points postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean subjective patients' satisfaction score was 83.5 ± 11.7 points. The mean flexion-extension arc in the posttraumatic arthritis group increased from 37.8° ± 30.3° preoperatively to 120.6° ± 11.3° at the time of the latest follow-up, whereas that in the nontraumatic arthritis group increased from 24.3° ± 27.6° to 96.4° ± 21.2° (p < 0.001 for both). At the time of the latest follow-up, the loosening rate was 13% and mild-to-moderate bushing wear was observed in four elbows (17%). A revision surgical procedure was performed in five elbows (22%), of which three had revision surgery after fifteen postoperative years. The overall implant survival rates were 95% at the eight-year follow-up and 89% at the fifteen-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite concerns regarding the longevity of total elbow replacements in young patients, long-term follow-up after total elbow arthroplasty showed significant functional improvement and pain relief. Although a desirable range of motion after the surgical procedure was difficult to achieve in patients with preoperative ankylosis, total elbow arthroplasty in selected young patients showed acceptable loosening, reoperation, and implant survival rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.