title: [Efficacies of arthroscopic debridement and olecranon fossa plasty in the treatment of osteoarthritis and posterior elbow impingement].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacies of arthroscopic debridement and removal of osteophyma for olecroanon and olecranon fossa plasty for posterior impingement of elbow joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1999 and 2008, a total of 21 cases were diagnosed with osteoarthritis and posterior elbow impingement. There were 15 males and 6 females. And there were 16 right and 15 left cases. They included volleyball players (n = 7), tennis players (n = 7), golf enthusiasts (n = 4) and fencers (n = 3). The average duration of onset-operation was 3.5 years (range: 2.5 - 8). Arthroscopic exploration revealed synovial hyperplasia hypertrophy, cartilage degeneration and olecranon fossa hyperplasia with deformed olecranon fossa. Debridement and plasty were performed. Loose bodies were removed from elbow joint in 6 patients. Partial resection of posterior olecranon tip was performed and osteophytes or fibrous tissue removed in this area. Dynamic observation showed no posterior elbow impingement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative follow-up was conducted in 19 cases and 2 cases became lost to follow-up. The average follow-up period was 25.3 months (range: 18 - 42). All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Hospital for Special Surgery Elbow Assessment Scale. The outcomes were excellent (n = 12), good (n = 7) and fair (n = 2). Postoperative patients elbow swelling and pain relieve, sports and life function returns to normal, elbow flexion and rotating mobility obviously improved. With the elbow radiological films to measure the range of motion, the average range of motion was 90.5° preoperatively and improved to 130° postoperatively. There was significant improvement in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Posterior elbow impingement is caused by hyperextension trauma and elbow overuse during specific sporting activities. Arthroscopic debridement and olecroanon or olecranon fossa plasty demonstrates excellent results for posterior impingement of elbow joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China. liuyj301yy@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Yu-jie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jun-liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hai-feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D004551:Elbow Joint; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007594:Joint Loose Bodies / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D000092464:Elbow Injuries