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ARTHROSCOPIC SYNOVECTOMY OF THE ELBOW FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 0316.

B. F. Morrey, MD, Professor and Chairman

Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor B. F. Morrey.

The short-term assessment of 14 arthroscopic synovectomies of the elbow in 11 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed that 93% achieved a short-term rating of excellent or good on the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. At the most recent assessment at an average of 42 months, however, only 57% maintained excellent or good results; four had required total elbow replacement.

Although rehabilitation is facilitated by an arthroscopic procedure the results deteriorate more rapidly than after open synovectomy. This may be due to the limitations of the arthroscopic technique and is consistent with experience of the similar procedure in the knee. Recognition of the short-term gain and the potential for serious nerve injury should be considered when offering arthroscopic synovectomy.