Arthroscopic treatment of posterior impingement of the elbow in athletes: A medium-term follow-up in sixteen cases

HypothesisEvaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment of posterior impingement in the athletes elbow.Materials and methods16 elbows were included. An arthroscopic debridement of the posterior fossa of the elbow was performed. All Patients were evaluated preoperatively and after an average of 38 (30-53) months using range of motion, the Modified Andrews Elbow Scoring System (MAESS), VAS in rest and after provocation.ResultsThe average flexion increased from 138° to 140°. The extension deficit of 8° preoperatively increased to a deficit of average 2° (P < 0.05). The MAESS increased from average preoperative to excellent postoperative (P < 0.05). The average VAS in rest decreased from 3 to 0 and during sporting activities the VAS decreased from 7 to 2 (P < 0.05).Discussion and conclusionIn this series, arthroscopic debridement of the posterior fossa in athletes with posterior impingement is a procedure that showed excellent mid term results and can therefore be recommended.Level of evidenceLevel 4; Retrospective case series, no control group.