Surgical Treatment of the Primary Osteoarthritis of the Elbow: Open vs. Arthroscopy

Lee,  Jae Sung

doi:2017.22.2.73

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 22(2); 2017 > Article

Review

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2017;22(2):73-80.
Published online June 30, 2017.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/jkssh.2017.22.2.73

Surgical Treatment of the Primary Osteoarthritis of the Elbow: Open vs. Arthroscopy

Jae Sung Lee

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. boneman@cau.ac.kr

Received: 2 February 2017 • Revised: 20 April 2017 • Accepted: 20 April 2017

Abstract

The characteristic of primary osteoarthritis of the elbow is marginal osteophyte and loose body formation with relatively preserving cartilage, manifesting as a painful and limited motion arc. In moderate degenerative changes, a debridement that remove the bony impingement as a basis of the surgical treatment can be performed by arthroscopic as well as open procedure. This article tries to suggest the indication of arthroscopic or open procedure by comparative analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. As a result, arthroscopic procedure may be recommended when the range of motion is greater than 100° and main symptom is pain, on the other hand open debridement may be recommended when the range of motion is less than 100°, main symptom is limited motion, especially further flexion and ulnar neuropathy is accompanied.