Abstract
To ascertain the effect of the site and number of loose bodies on the functional outcome of Outerbridge-Kashiwagi (O-K) procedure in management of osteoarthritis of the elbow.
12 patients were reviewed after having O-K procedure, and assessed using Mayo Elbow Performance score, and radiographs assessed using Derby Elbow Osteoarthritis Radiography score.
There were 10 male and 2 female patients with mean age of 47 years. The mean follow up was 24 months. In 8 (66%) patients the diagnosis was primary osteoarthritis, and 4 (34%) had post-traumatic arthritis. Nine (75%) patients had osteoarthritis of the dominant elbow, and three were non-dominant. Nine patients had locking and catching symptoms. 7 patients had < 2 loose bodies, and 5 had > 2 loose bodies. 7 had anterior loose bodies alone and 5 had both anterior and posterior loose bodies.
The Mayo Elbow Performance score improved from a mean preoperative value of 51 to 85 points postoperatively (p< 0.0001). There were 3 excellent, 7 good, 2 fair, and no poor results. Visual analogue pain score improved from a mean of 7.4 to 2.6 postoperatively (p< 0.001). The Derby Elbow Osteoarthritis Radiography score improved from preoperative mean of 6.5 to 5.3 postoperatively (p< 0.013). There was no significant difference between functional outcome of primary osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis (p> 0.42). Number of loose bodies had no significance on the functional outcome (p> 0.39), neither did the site of the loose bodies (p> 0.44). There was no significant difference of the number of loose bodies on the overall total score of Derby Osteoarthritis Elbow Score (p> 0.2). In two patients revision had to be undertaken due to persistent locking that improved postoperatively.
The number and site of loose bodies, the type of osteoarthritis and the duration of symptoms have no significant prognostic value in predicting functional outcome
These abstracts were prepared by Mr Cormac Kelly. Correspondence should be addressed to him c/o British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN.
