Hackensack University Medical Center Physician Participates in Outcomes Study of Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow
Surgical Approach Shown Equally Efficacious Treatment for DOA and PTA of the Elbow for Midterm Outcomes and Survivorship
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute surgeons and investigators affiliated with Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center recently co-authored a study evaluating midterm outcomes and survivorship of arthroscopic elbow debridement: a comparison of posttraumatic versus primary degenerative osteoarthritis in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. Their analysis found that arthroscopic debridement is an equally effective treatment option for degenerative osteoarthritis (DOA) and posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) of the elbow.
While arthroscopic debridement was already regarded as an effective surgical management approach for both degenerative DOA and PTA of the elbow, the difference in the procedure’s efficacy and longevity when performed for these two distinct pathologies had not previously been studied. This retrospective analysis identified and compared the midterm outcomes and survivorship of arthroscopic debridement of elbow PTA and DOA.
To determine outcomes for the purpose of the study, a questionnaire containing the Oxford Elbow Score, as well as questions regarding the incidence of reoperation, additional nonoperative intervention, complications, pain and satisfaction, was given to 80 subjects at five years minimum following surgery. The midterm survivorship of arthroscopic debridement free of reoperation for any reason, as well as the remaining outcome measurements documented through the questionnaire and in-office evaluation, was compared between PTA and DOA groups.
The study confirmed that arthroscopic debridement is an equally efficacious treatment option for DOA and PTA of the elbow. Patients with either pathology can expect satisfactory elbow function and an improvement in pain with little chance of reoperation at the midterm of their follow-up period.
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