title: Clinical results after arthroscopic treatment for septic arthritis of the elbow joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine clinical findings of septic arthritis of the elbow joint in a series of immunocompetent patients and to evaluate the outcomes after arthroscopic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2006 and January 2012, 11 patients with septic arthritis of the elbow underwent arthroscopic surgery. History, laboratory findings, and radiologic findings were reviewed. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 5 men and 6 women with a mean age of 45 years. An underlying medical disease was present in 1 patient (diabetes). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism identified (5 patients). There was 1 reoperation and no complications related to the arthroscopic procedure. Eight of 11 patients had excellent results assessed by MEPS at the final follow-up. The mean MEPS was 94.5 at the final follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Septic arthritis of the elbow joint can occur in otherwise healthy patients without pre-existing elbow disease. Arthroscopic irrigation and synovectomy are safe and effective in patients with septic arthritis and result in good functional outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: moonjg@korea.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Jun-Gyu
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biraris
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bilaris
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Wong-Kyo
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000601:surgery*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D055815:Young Adult