Arthroscopic Management for Juvenile Elbow Loose Bodies: A Retrospective Review of Fifteen Cases

Objective: Loose bodies in the elbow can lead to elbow structural damage and seriously affect joint function. Arthroscopy has been used in the treatment of elbow loose bodies. Our goal in this study was to assess the efficacy of arthroscopic treatment of elbow loose bodies in adolescents. Methods: We retrospectively studied fifteen cases of juvenile patients (aged 12 to 25 years, mean 17.6 years) who received arthroscopic surgery to remove elbow loose bodies between July 2009 and October 2013. All patients underwent inspection and removal of elbow loose bodies through arthroscopy. Patients received postoperative follow up for seven to thirty months (mean 15.9 months). We compared symptoms, flexion and extension angles and changes in imaging studies before and after surgery, and evaluated the efficacy with the modified HSS elbow scoring system. Results: Elbow joint pain was resolved in fourteen patients after arthroscopy and slight joint pain remained in one patient. Elbow "locking" symptom disappeared in eleven patients postoperatively. The difference of the maximum initiative extension and flexion angles before surgery and after surgery was statistically significant. Follow-up CT scans were performed in all patients and showed no residual loose bodies in elbow joints. In accordance with the modified HSS scoring system, thirteen patients were scored excellent and two patients were scored satisfactory. There were no complications. Conclusion: Under arthroscopy, a complete inspection could be performed and the loose bodies could be removed completely in juvenile patients with elbow loose bodies. This procedure causes minimal disturbance to elbows, and patients can recover quickly from surgery. It is an effective treatment for elbow loose bodies in adolescents.