Arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage of chronic posterolateral elbow instability: good or moderate outcome in 21 patients followed for an average of 2.5 years.

BACKGROUND: The lateral collateral ligament complex is the key structure involved in recurrent elbow instability. Treatment is surgical, by repair or reconstruction of the lateral collateral ligament complex. We evaluated the effect of arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage for treatment of chronic posterolateral rotator elbow instability. METHODS: 21 patients, median age 32 (24-50) years, suffering from chronic lateral elbow instability underwent arthroscopic electrothermal ligament shrinkage with a bipolar shrinkage probe. All patients were available for follow-up after median 30 (8-48) months. RESULTS: No complications were seen. The Morrey score increased from 40 to 77 points. The result was moderate (50-80 points) in 10 patients, and in the other patients a good result was achieved (80-95 points). The manual stress radiography showed a mean lateral joint opening of 13 (8-18) mm preoperatively. During follow-up, it decreased to 2 (1-4) mm. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that arthroscopic bipolar ligament shrinkage is sufficient for the treatment of chronic posterolateral rotator elbow instability.