Artroplastia total del codo

Background: We retrospectively assessed the results of the treatment of traumatic and degenerative pathologies of the elbow with a Coonrad-Morrey type III prosthesis. Methods: We present 11 patients with an average followup of 23 months. The indications were: post-traumatic arthrosis in 3 cases, distal humeral fractures in 3, rheu matoid arthritis in one case, after resection of an antibio tic cement spacer in 2 cases, due to a distal humerus nonunion in one case, and in an osteochondritis of the capi tellum and trochlea in one case. Results: Flexion-extension was 130-19o, with a total arc of motion of 109°. Pronation -supination was 85-87°. The grip was 65% from that of the contralateral side. The pain according to the Visual Analog Scale was 1.7 points. The Mayo Clinic Score was excellent in 6 patients, good in 3, fair in 1, and poor in 1. The average DASH was 15. Two complications were reported: one triceps tendon rupture and one prosthetic loosening. Conclusions: We obtained excellent and good results in 9 of the 11 patients evaluated. The total elbow prosthesis is, therefore, a good alternative for the treatment of trau matic and degenerative pathologies of this joint. However, the number of complications has been high.