In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), non constrained or semi-constrained prostheses can be used. The authors used the Kudo III, IV or V or iBP prostheses 54 times from 1994 to 2003. After initial satisfactory results, they had to change one or both implants for several reasons: humeral stem fracture (5 cases), unipolar humeral loosening (1 case), ulnar loosening without laxity (8 cases), polyethylene wear (11 cases), due to progressive ulnar collateral ligament lengthening and progressive valgus deformity, without or with metallosis, due to contact between Cr-Co humeral component and titanium alloy ulnar component, chronic infection (1 case). When the local conditions were satisfactory (bone stock, ligament balance), the fractured or loosened component was changed. When the conditions were bad (poor bone stock, ligament misbalance, metallosis), both implants were removed; posterior humeral and/or medial or lateral ulnar window were used to removed the uncemented stems still osteointegrated. All the bipolar operations used the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis, but the last case a Discovery prosthesis. The operative tricks are described, the management of the extensor apparatus is discussed, the clinical outcomes (especially the extensor apparatus function, most often weak) and the radiographic outcomes are presented

Aim. Bone metastases of the upper limb are a frequent complication of primary tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate treatment and functional results of patients with prosthetic reconstruction of the proximal humerus. Method. Between 1975 and 2007, 67 patients were treated by resection of humeral metastasis and reconstruction with prosthesis. Cemented modular prostheses of the proximal humerus were implanted in 59 cases (all MRS Bioimpianti® prostheses), uncemented prostheses in 2 (HMRS® Stryker), 4 elbow Coonrad-Morrey prostheses (in 2 cases with bone allograft), 1 elbow custom-made cemented and 1 intercalary prosthesis (Osteobridge Merete®). Sites of primary tumors: kidney (23), lung (13), bone and unknow (7 each), liver and breast (3 each), bladder, endometrium, thyroid, soft tissues and nervous tissues (2 each), ovarium (1). Complications were evaluated and univariate analysis with actuarial Kaplan-Meier curves of implant survival was performed. Functional results were assessed with the MSTS system. Results. At mean follow-up 27 months oncologic outcome showed 7 patients NED (mean time 7 yrs.), 57 DOD, 3 lost to follow-up. Complications were deep infection (2 cases, 3%) and loosening (1 case, 1.5%) causing failure requiring revision. Functional results were good or excellent in 93% of patients, with average score of 71%. Conclusion. Resection of metastatic lesion is indicated: 1) for patients with solitary metastases and long free interval from treatment of primary cancer, 2) for patients with meta-epiphyseal metastases not amenable to durable internal fixation even in presence multiple metastases. Indications of resections are increasing, due to prolonged survival with newer medical treatments. Different reconstructive techniques are available, depending on type of resection and soft tissues removal. Cemented prostheses are mostly used, since cemented fixation is not affected by radiotherapy. Although prognosis was poor, prosthetic reconstructions of the humerus provided satisfactory results

Between 1995 and 2000, 19 consecutive patients with fractures of the distal humerus were treated by primary total elbow replacement using the Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis. No patient had inflammatory or degenerative arthritis of the elbow. The mean age at the time of injury was 73 years (61 to 95). According to the AO classification, 11 patients had suffered a C3 injury, two a B3 and two an A3. One fracture was unclassified. Two patients died from unrelated causes and one was unable to be assessed because of concurrent illness. The mean time to follow-up was three years (1 to 5.5). At follow-up 11 patients (68%) reported no pain, four (25%) had mild pain with activity and one had mild pain at rest. The mean flexion arc was 24° to 125°. The mean supination was 90° (70 to 100) and pronation 70° (50 to 110). No elbow was unstable. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 23 (0.92 to 63.3) and the mean Mayo elbow performance score was 93 (80 to 100). Of the 16 patients, 15 were satisfied with the outcome. Radiological evaluation revealed only one patient with a radiolucent line at the cement-bone interface. It was between 1 and 2 mm in length, was present on the initial postoperative radiograph and was non-progressive at the time of follow-up. Primary total elbow arthroplasty is an acceptable option for the management of comminuted fractures of the distal humerus in elderly patients when the configuration of the fracture and the quality of the bone make reconstruction difficult