title: Synovectomy, radial head excision, and anterior capsular release in stage III inflammatory arthritis of the elbow.
abstract: A retrospective study was performed to analyze the results of elbow synovectomy, radial head excision, and anterior capsular release in 12 elbows in 11 patients with radiographic stage III inflammatory arthritis. The follow-up period averaged 6.1 years. Average flexion arc improved from 93 degrees (range, 80 degrees-110 degrees) to 116 degrees (range, 65 degrees-140 degrees), with flexion contracture improving 13 degrees. Total arc of forearm rotation increased from 95 degrees to 145 degrees. Ewald scores improved from an average of 37 to 84 points. Pain was eliminated or improved in all cases; functional improvement was noted in all patients. Serial postoperative radiographs showed no significant disease progression over time. These results suggest that combined synovectomy, radial head excision, and anterior capsular release effectively relieves pain and improves function in stage III inflammatory arthritis of the elbow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lonner
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stuchin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010146:Pain / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012399:Rotation; D000074402:Synovectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome