The Effectiveness of Arthroscopic Debridement with Mini-Open Ulnar Nerve Decompression in Primary Osteoarthritis of the Elbow with Ulnar Neuropathy

척골 신경 병증을 동반한 주관절 퇴행성 관절염에서 최소 절개 척골 신경 감압술과 동시에 시행한 관절경적 변연 절제술의 효과

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy. Materials and Methods: Between May of 2006 and July of 2014, a total of 43 patients who had undergone surgery for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy were included in this study. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the method of surgery: group 1 (n=18) received mini-open ulnar nerve decompression only, and group 2 (n=25) received arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression. Patients were assessed for the following clinical outcomes: visual analogue scales (VAS) score, range of motion of the elbow joint, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) at the time before surgery and 6 months after surgery. We analyzed the recovery of the ulnar nerve by the McGowan grade and Bishop rating score preoperatively and at 6 months after the surgery. Results: The VAS score, range of motion of the elbow joint, MEPS, and DASH showed significant statistical difference after the surgery (p<0.05). However, between the 2 groups, there was no significant difference. For the McGowan grade, all cases of both groups-except one case each group-showed at least one grade improvement. Moreover, group 2 showed a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.001). At the final follow-up, according to the Bishop rating score, group 2 had a greater significant difference than group 1 (p=0.036). Conclusion: Arthroscopic debridement with mini-open ulnar nerve decompression in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow with ulnar neuropathy is a useful technique, which has several advantages, including the benefits associated with a minimally invasive surgery and also the improvement of elbow joint function and excellent recovery of the ulnar nerve.

목적: 척골 신경병이 동반된 주관절의 퇴행성 관절염에서 최소 절개 척골 신경 감압술과 동시 시행한 관절경적 변연 절제술의 효과를 알아보았다. 대상 및 방법: 2006년 5월부터 2014년 7월까지 43명을 대상으로 최소 절개 신경 감압술만 시행받은 18예를 1군, 관절경적 변연 절제술과 신경 감압술을 동시 시행받은 25예를 2군으로 나누어 분석하였다. 술 전과 술 후 6개월의 통증 점수, 관절 운동 범위, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH), McGowan grade, Bishop rating score를 분석하였다. 결과: 두 군 간의 통증 점수, 관절 운동 범위, MEPS, DASH 호전 정도는 차이가 없었다. McGowan grade는 각각 1예를 제외하고 모두 1등급 이상의 호전을 보였으나 2군이 유의하게 더 우수하였고(p=0.001), Bishop rating score도 2군이 유의하게 더 우수하였다(p=0.036). 결론: 척골 신경병이 동반된 주관절 퇴행성 관절염에 대하여 최소 절개 척골 신경 감압술과 동시에 시행한 관절경적 변연 절제술은 관절 기능 향상과 척골 신경 회복에 유용한 술식이다.