Indications, Results and Complications of Elbow Arthroscopy Treatment in Eighteen Patients

Abstract

Background: Elbow arthroscopy is increasingly applied to diagnose and treat elbow pathologies. Although evidence about its efficacy is rising, it is still not sufficient to prove it as the preferred technique for the treatment of elbow diseases. Methods: Since this method is very new and only a few studies have been carried out on this technique, the current researchers decided to undertake a study at an academic referral hospital to determine the functional outcome of this method. Data were provided using review of records, applying questionnaires before and after operation, and at final visit (one-year postop). Results: In this analytical case-series study, eighteen patients, who underwent elbow arthroscopy with mean age of 36.11 ± 6.14 years were enrolled during year 2013 to 2015. Between 32 indications of elbow arthroscopy, most indications were arthrolysis (12 cases) and removal of osteophyte and debridement in elbow arthritis (9 cases). Based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the mean scores of elbow pain intensity were 5.22 ± 1.7 before the surgery and 2.94 ± 1.73 at final follow up. Also, mean scores provided by Quick Dash questionnaire were 41.2 ± 16.5 before the surgery and 20.8 ± 12.9 at one-year postop visit (P < 0.001). In patients’ follow-up, no complications, such as infection and nervous damage of compartment syndrome, were seen. Conclusions: Although arthroscopic treatment of elbow lesions may possess few complications, it has favorable functional outcome, and it is a reliable method in the hands of expert orthopedists. Attaining favorable results may require paying attention to contraindications, technical considerations, careful patient selection, and proper general care of the patient.