Arthroscopic synovectomy of the elbow in XXXX .

@entity1 @entity625 @entity603 @entity158 @entity309
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of arthroscopic synovectomy for the treatment of elbows affected by @entity309 . METHODS: Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed on twenty-nine elbows (twenty-seven @entity1 ) between 1984 and 1996. Twenty-one elbows (twenty @entity1 ), followed for a minimum of forty-two months, were evaluated clinically with use of the Mayo elbow performance score and radiographic findings. The mean duration of follow-up was ninety-seven months. With use of the system of Larsen et al., we classified all elbows into three groups--Grades 1 and 2, Grade 3, and Grade 4--according to the preoperative radiographic findings. These groups were then compared. RESULTS: The mean Mayo elbow performance score improved from 48.3 points preoperatively to 77.5 points (an excellent result in two elbows, a good result in thirteen, a fair result in six, and a poor result in none) at two years after the operation and 69.8 points (an excellent result in two elbows, a good result in seven, a fair result in seven, and a poor result in five) at the final follow-up evaluation. The mean score for @entity158 improved from 9.3 points preoperatively to 31.4 points at two years after the operation and 27.9 points at the final follow-up evaluation. Clinically apparent @entity603 recurred in five of the twenty-one elbows, and two of the five required total elbow arthroplasty. Among the three groups, only elbows with Larsen Grade-1 or 2 @entity625 had a favorable long-term result with regard to total function. The postoperative results were unsatisfactory for Larsen Grade-4 elbows. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic synovectomy in an elbow affected by @entity309 is a reliable procedure that can alleviate @entity158 . Our results suggest that one of the most favorable indications for arthroscopic synovectomy is a preoperative radiographic rating of Grade 1 or 2.
