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Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 4/2004

01-05-2004 | Original Article

Outcome assessment after arthrolysis of the elbow

Authors: T. Gosling, M. Blauth, T. Lange, M. Richter, L. Bastian, C. Krettek

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 4/2004

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Abstract

Background

In the literature, the outcome after arthrolysis of the elbow is mainly assessed by range of motion (ROM). Our intention was to verify whether this parameter does sufficently estimate the outcome after surgical arthrolysis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study using the validated Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) as our reference outcome parameter. This score was compared with other outcome parameters such as ROM, Mayo Performance Index (MPI) and SF-36. A total of 59 patients who underwent arthrolysis of the elbow was evaluated 53 months after surgery on average.

Results

The mean ROM was 101° for flexion/extension with a relative gain of 60% and 134° for pronation/supination with a relative gain of 58%. MPI was 84 points on average. The mean DASH was 17.6 and the mean SF-36 67.9. The correlation of these outcome parameters was calculated using Pearson's correlation (two-tailed, significance set at p<0.05). We found a high correlation between DASH and the physical function part of the SF-36 (Cov=-0.87, p<0.05). The correlation of DASH and MPI was moderate (Cov=0.71, p<0.05) and of DASH and ROM poor (Cov=–0.25, p<0.05).

Conclusion

ROM as a single parameter does not sufficently assess the outcome of arthrolysis of the elbow.
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Metadata
Title
Outcome assessment after arthrolysis of the elbow
Authors
T. Gosling
M. Blauth
T. Lange
M. Richter
L. Bastian
C. Krettek
Publication date
01-05-2004
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 4/2004
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-003-0524-x

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