Short-term results of the PROSNAP linked elbow prosthesis with a snap-in structure and modular flange for the reconstruction of severely damaged rheumatoid elbows

Background: We aimed to evaluate the early clinical results of the reconstruction of problematic elbow joints due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a PROSNAP linked elbow prosthesis (Kyocera Medical, Osaka, Japan) for total elbow arthroplasty. Methods: Seventeen elbows in 14 RA patients were replaced with a PROSNAP elbow with cement fixation. The patients comprised 1 man and 13 women, with a mean age of 63.9 years (range, 52-83 years) at the time of surgery. The preoperative conditions of the elbows were arthritis mutilans (n = 10), an ankylosed or stiff elbow with a preoperative range of motion of 45° or less (n = 4), and loosening of a primary total elbow arthroplasty (n = 3). The mean follow-up period was 47.7 months (range, 32-69 months), with a 100% follow-up rate. The clinical outcome of the elbows was evaluated by the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (maximum, 100 points). Results: The mean postoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Index score improved from 57.6 points to 97.1 points. Preoperatively, 3 of the 17 elbows were judged as good, 7 as fair, and 7 as poor; at final follow-up, 16 elbows were judged as excellent and 1 as good. Complications were noted in 1 elbow (6%), which had undergone a postoperative fracture. Conclusions: The PROSNAP elbow prosthesis can be safely implanted through a relatively easy procedure and provides satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes for the reconstruction of severely damaged RA elbows. Level of evidence: Level IV, Case Series, Treatment Study.