Abstract
A 55-year-old woman who was diagnosed as RA (stage, class ) in 1995 had undergone right total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in October 2006. We implanted her prosthesis FINE ELBOW® (Nakashima Medical, Japan). Prosthesis of the humerus side is made of Co-Cr-Mo, and the ulna side is of polyethylene. Radius side is metal back system which inserts a polyethylene joint part in metal holder made by Co-Cr-Mo. All components were fixed by cement. She complained her right elbow uncomfortable gradually from January 2008. X-ray radiograph showed loosening of the ulnar component.
So we performed revision surgery using ulnar revision sack in May 2008. This ulnar component had only a product made in polyethylene and we inserted the component of the product made in the polyethylene in a metal sack. The operation was successed and now she does housework.
We think that strength is not worthy of the ulnar component made by polyethylene in TEA for the patient with terrible joint destruction and high daily activity patient of rheumatoid arthritis.
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