Synovectomy and Débridement of the Elbow in Rheumatoid Arthritis

¹ From the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York

In 1963 a technique for complete synovectomy and appropriate débridement of the elbow joint through a transolecranon approach was developed. Twenty-eight synovectomies and débridements of the elbow joint were carried out in twenty-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The minimum follow-up was one year, with an average of three and one-half years.

The indications for, technique of, and the results and complications of the surgery were discussed. Of the twenty-eight elbows operated on, twenty-five were improved in terms of relief of pain and extended range of motion, while at the same time the stability of the joint was maintained. Spontaneous ankylosis occurred in three patients. From the patients’ point of view, the most gratifying aspect of the surgery was relief of pain.

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