Objective: The purpose of this study is to discuss the results of revision total elbow arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Methods: We investigated clinical outcomes and complications for 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were treated for revision total elbow arthroplasty from 1999 to 2015 (mean of age 59.1±13.2 years old, all female). We compared JOA scores and range of motion between linked type and unlinked type.

Results: The results of revision total elbow arthroplasty were 5 loosenings, 3 instabilities, one dislocation fragment occurred intra-operation, and one fracture after operation. The duration from first operation to second operation was 5 years 7 months. Products of primary TEA were 6 Kudo Elbow, 2 JACE, one Stable Elbow and one Souter Strathyclyde. The products of revision TEA were 5 Coonrad Morrey, 3 Kudo Elbow, and 2 Stable Elbow. The number of unlinked types was equal to the number of linked types. The JOA score of the linked type improved from 59.6±9.0 pre-operation to 81.6±3.8 post-operation (P<0.05). On the other hand, the JOA scores of the unlinked type improved from 36.0±10.2 pre-operation to 64.6±9.0 (P<0.05). Both JOA scores of the unlinked type and of the linked type improved about pain, instability significantly, and range of motion decreased. The range of motion of the linked type changed and flexion and extension improved. On the other hand, in the unlinked type, flexion improved and pronation went down.

 The 5 year survival rate of unlinked type and of linked type was both 100%.

Conclusion: We investigated the results of revision TEA between the unlinked type and the linked type. The 5 year survival rate was not different and both JOA scores improved.