Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty for advanced-stage primary osteoarthritis of the elbow using a computed tomography-based classification

Abstract

Hypothesis: Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty for stage III osteoarthritis (advanced stage) shows worse clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with stage I or II according to computed tomography (CT)-based classification.

Methods: Clinical and radiologic outcomes in 65 patients treated with arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty were retrospectively analyzed for range of motion (ROM) arc, functional score (Mayo Elbow Performance Score [MEPS]), and pain score (visual analog scale [VAS]). Patients were classified into stage I or II (n = 44) and stage III (n = 21) groups according to CT-based classification, and postoperative clinical outcomes and complications were analyzed.

Results: Mean follow-up duration was 32.9 ± 13.7 months (range, 24-69). The average patient age was 52 ± 10 years (range, 40-63). Improvements from preoperative to final follow-up were seen in the overall ROM-flexion from 94° ± 19° to 129° ± 14° (P < .01), ROM-extension from 25° ± 12° to 14° ± 7° (P < .01), MEPS from 45 ± 13 to 78 ± 14 (P < .01), and VAS score from 6.3 ± 1.6 to 3.1 ± 1.4 (P < .01). Subgroup analysis using the CT-based classification revealed that stage III led to worsened VAS score and MEPS than stage I or II.

Conclusions: Arthroscopic osteocapsular arthroplasty can be recommended for its favorable overall treatment outcomes for elbow osteoarthritis. However, stage III shows worse clinical and radiologic outcomes compared with stage I or II according to CT-based classification.

Keywords: Elbow osteoarthritis; advanced osteoarthritis; arthroscopy; elbow OA; elbow arthrolysis; elbow stiffness; joint space narrowing; osteocapsular arthroplasty.