[Late synovectomy of the elbow and resection of the radius head in chronic polyarthritis].

Between 1974 and 1984 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who had elbow synovectomy and excision of the radial head, were revised with an average follow-up of 5 years after operation. Resection of the radial head was performed on 16 elbows, in 3 elbows the ulnar nerve was transposed. The indication for the operation were pain, swelling, warmth and radiological destruction. The parameters used, to assess efficacy of the operation were range of motion, local finding and patient satisfaction. Synovectomy results were good especially in respect of relief of pain and range of motion. The good results justify elbow synovectomy even in the late stages of disease.