Arthroscopic treatment for elbow osteoarthritis reduces pain, improves motion

Description: An evolving technique, presented during the Arthroscopy Association of North America’s annual meeting, addresses three main pathologic processes involved in primary degenerative arthritis of the elbow. According to first author Julie E. Adams, MD, “Loss and fragmentation of cartilage lead to loose body formation. Reactive bone and cartilage formation give rise to osteophytes. These two processes cause impingement and contribute to the third process, progressive joint contractures. Arthroscopic débridement and osteocapsular resection addresses these underlying pathologic processes, provides outcomes similar to open procedures, and is associated with minimal perioperative morbidity.� The study presented a retrospective review of 41 patients (42 elbows) with symptomatic primary osteoarthritis of the elbow and at least two years of follow-up. All patients were treated with arthroscopic osteophyte débridement and capsulectomy, performed by Scott P. Steinmann, MD. At final follow-up, patients experienced significant improvements in extension lag, flexion, and supination, and two thirds reported minimal or no pain after the surgery.