O2041 ELBOW ARTHROLYSIS – DOES THE POSTOPERATIVE RESULTS CHANGE WITH TIME?

Abstract

Introduction: Over the last decade there have been a series of papers, with a follow-up of less than 5 years, demonstrating the beneþcial effects of elbow arthrolysis. There are doubts about the durability of this procedure as most patients develop early arthritis of the elbow joint as a consequence of their injury, which, in theory, could reduce the range of movement in the joint. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether the improvement in the range of movement of the elbow achieved through arthrolysis changed in the postoperative period. Methods: This is a prospective study of 25 patients who had arthrolysis of the elbow performed to improve posttraumatic stiffness. All these patients had a minimum follow up period of 5 years. (Mean followup 8.2 years). Range of movement at the elbow was recorded using a goniometer. Functional outcomes and pain were also assessed at each of these visits using the Mayo elbow score and the visual analogue score. Results: Range of movement improved from 55 degrees preoperatively to 105 degrees postoperatively at 1 year and this improvement was maintained at their last followup. Similarly, the Mayo elbow score and visual analogue score also improved following an elbow arthrolysis and again this improvement was maintained at their last followup. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, we believe that elbow arthrolysis for post traumatic stiffness of the elbow is a durable procedure.