title: ASSESMENT OF ARTHROSCOPIC ELBOW SYNOVECTOMY OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review functional outcomes of arthroscopic elbow synovectomy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 1999 and December 2005, 15 patients were submitted to elbow synovectomy using an arthroscopic approach. Three cases were bilateral, totaling 18 elbows. There were two male and 13 female patients. The mean age was 44 years and five months. The mean time of previous diagnosis was six years and eight months. All patients reported preoperative pain, and on seven elbows, instability was present. The mean preoperative values for joint motion were: flexion, 118°; extension, -24°, supine, 80°, and; prone, 71°.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean postoperative follow-up time was 39 months. The mean postoperative joint motion was 133° for flexion, -20° for extension, 84° supine, and 78° prone. On nine elbows (50%) an improved postoperative range of motion was reported, reaching functional levels. Twelve cases (66.6%) showed pain resolution or improvement to a level not interfering on the activities of daily life. According to Bruce's assessment method, the results were as follows: seven excellent, three good, two fair and six poor results, with an average of 85.5 points. Synovitis recurrence was found in six cases (33.3%), and evolution to osteoarthrosis was found in four (22.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopic elbow synovectomy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis leads to pain improvement in 66.6% of the cases; however, it does not cause a significant range of motion improvement.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Head, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Alberto Naoki
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Assistant, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fregoneze
authors.affiliation: Assistant, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Pedro Doneux
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Intern, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Luciana Andrade
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Head of the Clinic, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Tormin
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Head of the Clinic, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Eduardo César Moreira
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Mariz Pinto
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo; Head, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Group.
authors.forename: Sergio Luis
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Checchia
keywords: Arthritis; Arthroscopy; Elbow; Rheumatoid