Treatment of elbow dysfunction under elbow arthroscopy / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate early clinical outcome after arthroscopic treatment of elbow dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From September 2007 to December 2009, 21 patients with elbow dysfunction were treated with an arthroscopic procedure. All patients had chronic history of elbow dysfunction. Extension lag was 18.2° (10° - 25°) combined with pain. All patients underwent five-portals arthroscopic release and debridement. Postoperative care including anti-infection, rehabilitation and prophylaxis of myositis ossificans were prescribed. All elbows were assessed for increase in ROM and Mayo assessment before and after surgery. Mayo score assessment ≥ 90 points, excellent; 75 - 89 points, good; 60 - 74 points, common; < 60, bad. Complications were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At an average follow-up of 19.7 months (6 - 29 months), all patients had improvement of extension and relief of pain. The average lag of extension was 2.4° (0° - 5°). Pre-operative Mayo assessment good, 13 patients; common, 5 patients; bad, 3 patients. Post-operation Mayo assessment excellent, 17 patients; good, 4 patients; common, 0 patients; bad, 0 patient. There was no complication in this case serial.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Arthroscopic surgery can minimize trauma and bleeding, and reduce complications. Combined with reasonable rehabilitation, arthroscopic surgery can improve elbow function and appears to be satisfactory management.</p>