Arthroscopic debridement of osteoarthritic elbow in professional athletes

Arthroscopic debridement is an appropriate procedure for osteoarthritic elbow in general populations. However, the results of arthroscopic debridement in the professional athletes, a younger and highly active patient cohort is unclear. The purposes of this study were to assess the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement of osteoarthritic elbow in professional athletes and to evaluate the effect of prognostic factors on the clinical outcomes.

From January 1999 to January 2006, 35 professional athletes with osteoarthritc elbow (36 elbows) were treated with arthroscopic debridement, consisted of osteophytes removal, loose bodies removal and fenestration of the olecranon fossa as necessary. Average patient age was (23 ± 5) years (range 7 - 34 years). Average follow-up was (43 ± 23) months (range 16 - 98 months). Athletic activities consisted mainly of wrestling, judo and weightlifting. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the modified Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow scoring system.

According to the modified HSS elbow scoring system, the result was excellent for 16 elbows, good for 14 and poor for 6. No case had got worse after surgery. All athletes reported an improvement in pain. After athletic training, 15 elbows were not painful, 16 mildly painful, 3 moderately painful and 2 severely painful. The arc of flexion-extension improved from 111° preoperatively to 127° postoperatively. All of the athletes were able to return to their previous level of training. Five athletes won national-level championships. At follow-up, 17 athletes (18 elbows) were greatly satisfied with the results, 12 satisfied and 6 unsatisfied. Postoperatively, one athlete reported ulnar nerve symptoms and two others had residual loose bodies. The fenestration of the olecranon fossa was associated with a significantly increased chance of a poor outcome. The nature of the osteoarthritis, duration of symptoms, osteophytes removal and loose bodies removal did not predict the outcomes.

Arthroscopic debridement of osteoarthritic elbow in professional athletes can yield significant short-term pain relief, as well as restoration of elbow range of motion and resuming their athletic training. The long-term durability of this procedure with regard to preservation of range of motion and radiographic progression of arthritis remains unknown.