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- Document type:
- Article; Evaluation Studies; Journal Article
- Author(s):
- Willinger, Lukas; Siebenlist, Sebastian; Lenich, Andreas; Liska, Franz; Imhoff, Andreas B; Achtnich, Andrea
- Title:
- Arthroscopic arthrolysis provides good clinical outcome in post-traumatic and degenerative elbow stiffness.
- Abstract:
- PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this retrospective study was to report on the functional outcome after arthroscopic arthrolysis in patients with post-traumatic or degenerative elbow stiffness. It was hypothesized that this operative procedure leads to improved range of motion (ROM) and improved functional outcome in both groups. METHODS: Patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis of the elbow between 2010 and 2015 were included in this study. Forty-two patients with an average age of 41.0 ± 13.5 years were available for evaluation. The mean follow-up was 28.3 ± 14.9 months. With regard to aetiology of elbow contractures, patients were divided into post-traumatic (group A) and degenerative (group B) cohort. General patients' data, previous surgical treatment and ROM were recorded. At follow-up evaluation, the clinical outcome was assessed by the ROM, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain assessment and the Elbow Self-Assessment Score (ESAS). RESULTS: The mean arc of motion of group A (n = 20) increased from preoperatively 74.3° to 120.5° postoperatively (p < 0.001); group B (n = 22) showed an improvement of 104.6° preoperatively to 123.4° after surgery (p = 0.002). Mean improvement was 46.3° ± 27.5° in group A and 16.4° ± 19.4° in group B. Mean post-operative VAS was 0.9 ± 1.5 in group A and 1.3 ± 2.2 in group B. 92.9% of patients achieved a functional arc of elbow motion >100°. The ESAS indicated good to excellent clinical outcome showing 88.8 ± 10.0 points in group A and 84.1 ± 21.4 points in group B. Thirty-six patients (85.7%) returned to their previous work level after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic arthrolysis is an effective treatment option for patients with restriction in elbow motion reasoned by post-traumatic or degenerative changes. Both groups showed a significant improvement of ROM and comparable outcome scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level IV.
- Journal title abbreviation:
- Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc
- Year:
- 2018
- Journal volume:
- 26
- Journal issue:
- 1
- Pages contribution:
- 312-317
- Fulltext / DOI:
- doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4630-7
- Pubmed ID:
- http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28668971
- Print-ISSN:
- 0942-2056
- TUM Institution:
- Fachgebiet Sportorthopädie (Prof. Imhoff)
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