[Arthroscopy of the elbow joint. Long-term results, complications and indications]

Based on the results of a retrospective study of 67 patients who had diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy of the elbow from 1977 until 1990, we present the technique, results, complications, and indications for elbow arthroscopy. The average age of the patients was 26 years (range: 11-59). At follow-up, the patients were examined both clinically and radiologically. The results were scored according to Figgie's score, which contains the criteria of pain, function, power, and range of motion. The overall score increased significantly from 61.6 preoperatively to 85.3 postoperatively. The age of the patient did not influence the results. However, patients who were laborers had a poorer outcome than the others. Patients with a preoperative pain of 4 months to 2 years had better results than patients with a preoperative course of more than 2 years. With respect to the criteria (pain, function, power, range of motion), the pain improved significantly, whereas the other parameters showed no significant improvement. Breaking the diagnosis down into three categories (specific diagnosis, degeneration, unclear diagnosis), only patients with a specific and clear preoperative diagnosis showed significant improvement. The high number of neurological complications was especially striking.

According to our results, patients with loose bodies, early rheumatoid arthritis, and joint infection seem to be good candidates for elbow arthroscopy. However, patients with severe degeneration or patients with unclear preoperative diagnosis will rarely benefit from this procedure. In general, the patients' pain can be treated effectively, but range of motion or power will not increase after elbow arthroscopy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)