Pattern of osteophyte distribution in primary osteoarthritis of the elbow

• Published in: Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2008-11, Vol.17 (6), p.963-966
• Main Authors: Lim, Yeow Wai, MBBS, MMed(Surg), FRCSEd(Ortho), van Riet, Roger P., MD, PhD, Mittal, Ravi, MBBS, MS(Orth), Bain, Gregory I., MBBS, FRACS, FA(OrthA)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Elbow Joint - diagnostic imaging; Elbow Joint - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Orthopedics; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - diagnostic imaging; Osteoarthritis - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis - surgery; Osteophyte - diagnostic imaging; Range of Motion, Articular; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 1058-2746; 1532-6500
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2008.03.012

The goal of this study was to look at the pattern of osteophyte distribution on a 3-dimensional computed tomography scan of patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis in the elbow. We recruited 22 consecutive patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the elbow for the study. Three-dimensional reconstructed anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral views of the elbow were reviewed. Ulnohumeral osteophytes were found in 21 patients (95%), and radiohumeral osteophytes were found in 13 (59%). Cadaveric and biomechanical studies suggest that the radiohumeral joint appears to be more prone to wear and stress than the ulnohumeral joint. Our study showed that the percentage of patients with ulnohumeral joint osteophytes (95%) was higher than that of radiohumeral joint (59%). Therefore, this study challenges the conventional belief that osteoarthritis starts from the radiohumeral joint and progress toward the ulnohumeral joint.