Debridement arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the elbow (Outerbridge-Kashiwagi procedure).

The Outerbridge-Kashiwagi (O-K) procedure has been described to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the elbow. We treated a consecutive series of 15 patients (16 elbows) with the O-K procedure. All patients were reviewed after a mean follow-up of twenty months (range 3-64 months). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of the O-K procedure. Assessment included evaluation of elbow pain, range of motion and the Mayo elbow Performance Index (MPI). The mean arc of motion improved from 94 degrees (range, 65 degrees-120 degrees) preoperatively to 114 degrees (range 93 degrees-128 degrees) at the time of follow-up (p < 0.01). At the latest follow-up evaluation the total MPI improved from 63 (range, 50-75) to 88 (range, 45-100) (p < 0.01), eight elbows (50%) had no pain, seven (43.8%) mild pain and one (6.2%) moderate pain. The result was excellent for 8 elbows (50%), good for 6 (37.5%), fair for one (6.2%) and poor for one (6.2%). Patients' satisfaction showed that thirteen (86.6%) were much better or better and two (13.3%) were not improved compared with the preoperative situation.