Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Elbow Arthroscopy Used to Treat Primary Osteoarthritis With and Without Release of the Posterior Band of the Medial Collateral Ligament

Purpose To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of arthroscopic debridement arthroplasty with the release of the posterior band of the medial collateral ligament in patients with primary osteoarthritis. Methods We evaluated 43 patients treated with arthroscopic debridement arthroplasty for elbow osteoarthritis from February 2006 to February 2014. In group A (n = 19), the posterior band of the medial collateral ligament was released, and in group B (n = 24), it was not released. The mean follow-up period in groups A and B was 55.4 months (range, 24-100 months) and 62.2 months (range, 24-103 months), respectively. Clinical results were evaluated by measuring the preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) of the elbow, visual analog scale score, and Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Results Both groups showed significant improvement in clinical outcome (visual analog scale and Mayo Elbow Performance Score) at the final follow-up compared with preoperative evaluation (group A, P = .009 and .013, respectively; group B, P = .015 and .008, respectively). Group A showed significant improvement in increased flexion at 6 months of follow-up ( P = .043). However, there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative ROM and clinical results between the 2 groups at the final follow-up ( P = .482). Conclusions Arthroscopic debridement arthroplasty with the release of the posterior band of the medial collateral ligament was associated with improved flexion at the 6-month postoperative follow-up, but no significant difference between the groups was observed at the final follow-up. Therefore, the additional release of the posterior band of the medial collateral ligament may be unnecessary for improving postoperative ROM. Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.