Total elbow replacement using the Kudo prosthesis

Abstract

Between 1993 and 1996, we undertook 35 Kudo 5 total elbow replacements in a consecutive series of 31 rheumatoid patients. A total of 25 patients (29 procedures) was evaluated at a mean follow-up of six years (5 to 7.5) using the Mayo Clinic performance index. In addition, all patients were assessed for loosening using standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. At review, 19 elbows (65%) had either no pain or mild pain, ten (35%) had moderate pain and none had severe pain. The mean arc of flexion/extension was 94 degrees (35 to 130) and supination/pronation was 128 degrees (30 to 165). A fracture of the medial epicondyle occurred during surgery in one patient. This was successfully treated with a single AO screw and a standard Kudo 5 implant was inserted. Postoperatively, there were no infections. One patient had a dislocation which was treated by closed reduction and five had neurapraxia of the ulnar nerve. Radiologically, there was no evidence of loosening of the humeral component, but two ulnar components had progressive radiolucent lines suggestive of loosening. Two other ulnar components had incomplete and non-progressive radiolucent lines. With definite radiological loosening as the endpoint, the probability of survival of the Kudo 5 prosthesis at five years using the Kaplan-Meier method was 89%.

Case Series: Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Comminuted, Distal Humerus Fractures

“…The unique feature of the unlinked design is that it consists of a humeral and an ulnar component that are not mechanically linked, therefore it relies on matching shapes of the bearing surfaces, adequate bone stock, and soft tissue support for stability [9][10][11][12][13] Because of this, when the fracture is too comminuted, there is a higher risk of subluxation and joint dislocation when the unlinked design is used [1,10].…”