[Treatment of elbow dysfunction under elbow arthroscopy].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate early clinical outcome after arthroscopic treatment of elbow dysfunction.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Centre of Joint Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Lin
L
Guo
Guang-xing
GX
Chen
Xiao-jun
XJ
Duan
Rui
R
He
Hao
H
Chen
Hong-bo
HB
Huang
Ying
Y
Zhang
Liu
L
Yang
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries