Elbow arthroscopy in stiff elbow.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and review the functional outcomes after arthroscopic surgery in post-traumatic and degenerative elbow contractures.

METHODS:

Between 2004 and 2008, 243 patients with post-traumatic or degenerative elbow stiffness were treated with arthroscopic surgery. A total of 212 patients were reviewed at an average of 58 months follow-up (SD ± 17.3). The patients were divided into two groups: group A with post-traumatic stiffness, and group B with degenerative stiffness. Arthroscopic procedures performed included: synovectomy, debridement of osteophytes, removal of loose bodies, anterior and posterior capsulectomy, radial head excision. Ulnar nerve neurolysis was usually performed. The following data were recorded and analysed: sex, age, paraesthesia, previous surgical treatment and complications. Patient outcome was assessed pre- and post-operatively by a visual analogue scale and by the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), which assesses pain, ROM, stability and function.

RESULTS:

The total average ROM improved by 33° in group A and 20° in Group B. The MEPI improved from 60 to 81 in group A, and from 65 to 91 in group B.

CONCLUSIONS:

Arthroscopic surgery in post-traumatic and degenerative elbow contractures can be considered a safe, useful, with a long learning curve procedure that offers important improvement of the ROM decreasing surgical morbidity.

• Authors: Luigi Adriano Pederzini, Fabio Nicoletta, Massimo Tosi, Mauro Prandini, Emanuele Tripoli, Andrea Cossio
• Journal: Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA (Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 467-73 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1433-7347 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23435987 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Arthroscopy (methods)
• Child
• Elbow Joint (physiopathology, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Joint Diseases (etiology, physiopathology, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pain Measurement
• Range of Motion, Articular
• Recovery of Function
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult