Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review a large group of patients
who had arthroscopy of the elbow to determine the efficacy and relative ris
ks of this procedure. Type of Study: We retrospectively reviewed a convenie
nt sample of 172 patients who underwent 187 arthroscopies of the elbow over
a 7-year period. Materials and Methods: All patients had their charts and
radiographs reviewed, and 104 of these patients were also contacted for a t
elephone interview at an average follow-up of 42.3 months (range, 7 to 115
months). Results: The procedures were performed primarily by 7 different su
rgeons, using all 3 standard operating positions and a variety of arthrosco
pic portals. The most common diagnosis was posterior impingement in 96 pati
ents (51%), followed by loose bodies in 72 patients (31%), and degenerative
joint disease in 32 patients (22%). The average preoperative modified Figg
ie score was 27.7 points (range, 17-43) for all patients. The average posto
perative score was 45.4 points (range, 29-50), with the largest increase oc
curring in the pain score. There were 51 patients (56%) with an excellent s
urgical result, 37 patients (36%) with a good result, 12 patients (11%) wit
h a fair result, and 4 patients (4%) with a poor result. The average modifi
ed Figgie score increased from 31.2 points (range, 22-43) to 46.9 (range, 2
9-50) postoperatively in professional athletes; from 26.3 to 42.6 in patien
ts who had Workers' Compensation claims but were not professional athletes;
from 29.4 to 45.6 in patients with a diagnosis of loose bodies; and from 3
0.1 to 43.7 in patients with degenerative joint disease. There were 3 known
surgical complications (1.6%) overall, 1 of which was a patient who had a
transection of the ulnar nerve requiring microsurgical repair. Of the 104 p
atients who were contacted, 6 patients felt that their symptoms had not imp
roved after surgery. Eight of the 55 baseball players contacted were not ab
le to return to their same level of competition. Conclusions: Arthroscopy o
f the elbow appears to be a safe and efficacious procedure with a relativel
y low complication rate.