Long-term follow-up after Instrumented Bone Preserving (IBP) total elbow arthroplasty using RadioStereometric Analysis (RSA).

Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) enables measurement of micromotion of
orthopaedic implants. A relation between early micromotion and future aseptic
loosening has been demonstrated for total hip and knee prostheses. Regarding
the elbow joint four RSA studies have been performed presenting short-term
results. Unfortunaletly long-term results are lacking and a predictive value of
early migration is not yet known. Between 2003 and 2006 16 IBP elbow prostheses
analysed using RSA, were described with a follow up time of two years. In the
present study we will investigate the long-term results (> 10 year follow-up)
of this cohort. The results are of great importance for the evaluation of elbow
prosthesis in the long-term and further evaluation of the role of RSA and the
investigation of the predictive value of early migration in the elbow joint.

The purpose of this study is to determine the survival rates of the IBP total
elbow prosthesis, to give insight into the migration pattern of the IBP
prosthesis and to evaluate the predictive value of early migration for future
revision, loosening and pain. The secondary objective is to present the
clinical and functional outcomes 10 years after implantation of the IBP total
elbow prosthesis.

This follow-up study is a prospective study of a historic cohort.

Patients are asked to visit our clinic once, prior to a regular follow up
appointment. The extra amount of time that a patient invests in the study is
about 1 hour. Prior to the visit patients are asked to fill in the
questionnaires. During the visit RSA radiographs will be taken and a physical
examination will be performed. The questionnaires and physical examination will
not bring any additional burden for the patient. The total amount of radiation
of the RSA radiographs fall within the limits of the International Commission
of Radiological Protection (ICRP).