Background Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a recognized procedure for painful destructed elbow joint of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The Discovery elbow system is one of the latest linked type elbow prosthesis, modified from Coonrad-Morrey elbow system which is the most popular linked type prosthesis in the world. This system was designed to decrease polyethylene-bushing wear, improve anatomic and slimmed stem design, and simplify the bearing exchange. We retrospectively investigated the short term results of Discovery TEA for RA patients

Objectives To investigate the short term results of n TEA using the Discovery elbow system for RA patients.

Methods A total of 12 TEA using the Discovery elbow system, which had been undergone since September 2010, was included in this retrospective study. All patients were RA and female, with a mean age of 63 years, and with mean disease duration of 22 years. Mean follow-up period were 19 months. In preoperative radiographic findings, 9 elbow were Larsen grade 4 and 3 elbow were grade 5. Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), range of motion, radiographic findings, and complication were investigated.

Results The mean MEPS was improved from 36 (15-65) preoperatively to 93 (85-100) at final follow-up. All patients were pain-free at final follow-up. Elbow flexion angle was significantly improved from 112 to 139, while elbow extension angle was not improved significantly (from -35 to -29). There was no infection and no implant loosening. Complications included one intraoperative lateral condyle fracture, 4 postoperative condyle fracture (medial 3, lateral 1), one delayed wound healing, and one ulnar nerve neuropathy.

Conclusions Discovery elbow system was useful surgical device for TEA in RA patients with satisfactory short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest None declared

DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4217