Arthroscopic treatment of osteoarthrosis of the elbow in nonathlete patients / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement techniques for osteoarthrosis of the elbow in nonathlete patients. Methods Twenty-six nonathlete patients with elbow osteoarthrosis were treated with arthroscopic debridement from January 1999 to January 2006.Of the 26 patients,23 were followed for 4～86 months (mean,23 months).All of the 23 patients had complained of pain and loss of elbow motion and 4 patients had symptoms of ulnar neuritis. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was used as evaluation criteria of the efficacy. Results Twenty-three patients were followed for 4～86 months (mean, 23 months). Twenty elbows (87%) were not painful or were only mildly painful, and three (13%) were moderately painful. The mean arc of flexion-extension was improved from 99.6? (range, 65?～135?) preoperatively to 122.1? (range, 80?～150?) at the time of follow-up. According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the result was excellent in 16 elbows, good in 4, and fair in 3, with a rate of excellent or good results of 87%. Symptoms of ulnar neuritis disappeared in the 3 patients and continued without aggravation in the remaining 1 patient. Fourteen patients were greatly satisfied with the results, 6 satisfied, and 3 unsatisfied, the satisfactory rate being 87%. One patient reported a delayed ulnar nerve symptoms after operation. Conclusions Arthroscopic debridement techniques for elbow osteoarthrosis in nonathlete patients can yield satisfactory pain relief, significant increase in the range of motion, and quick recovery.