title: [Arthroscopic removal of intra-articular loose foreign bodies of the elbow].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have retrospectively studied the results of arthroscopic removal of loose bodies in the elbow. The aim of the study was to determine if the etiology of the loose bodies could be considered as a criteria for technical difficulty and clinical prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 patients (11 men and 5 female) had an elbow arthroscopy for loose bodies removal. Their average age was 29.5 years (range: 16-49). The post-operative results were recorded in their medical files with an average follow-up of six months.
  
  
  METHODS
  In each case we have determined the etiology of the intra-articular loose bodies. The results were analyzed according to technical difficulty and clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The etiology of the loose bodies was 8 chondromatosis, 4 osteochondritis dissecans and 4 post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The removal of the loose bodies was possible in 13 cases. Three arthroscopies were interrupted because of arthritic joint space narrowing. Twelve patients with primary chondromatosis and osteochondritis dissecans were improved. We did not find any significant clinical improvement in osteoarthritic elbows. A correlation between the results and the etiologies could therefore be shown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In arthroscopic removal of elbow loose bodies, technical difficulties and clinical results are correlated to the etiology of the loose bodies and also to the statement of the osteochondral surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Clinique d'Orthopédie et Chirurgie de l'Appareil Moteur et Policlinique de Chirurgie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire de Genève.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leissing
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Savioz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fritschy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Ablation arthroscopique de corps étrangers libres intra-articulaires du coude.