What Is an Elbow Arthroscopy?

Elbow arthroscopy surgery is a procedure in which a small camera is inserted into an incision made near the elbow joint to allow a surgeon to see inside the joint. The procedure is much less invasive than traditional surgical techniques that may require a larger incision. Larger incisions typically heal slower and are more vulnerable to complications, so elbow arthroscopy is a good choice for many patients who need surgical work done on the bones or soft tissues in their elbows. The surgery is often done on patients with bone spurs, tennis elbow, cartilage problems, and joint problems from arthritis or injury.

Before performing an elbow arthroscopy, a surgeon will usually take x-rays and other images of the joint to attempt to diagnose the problem and determine whether arthroscopic surgery is a valid treatment option. In some cases, surgeons use elbow arthroscopy to diagnose the problem itself if there is difficulty determining the nature or extent of an injury to the elbow joint, tendons, or cartilage. Once inside the elbow, the surgeon can remove loose bone fragments and repair small tears in cartilage or tendons, which can help alleviate pain and stiffness.

Surgeons use small instruments inserted into the incision that was made for the camera to remove bone fragments or spurs, loosen the joint capsule, and make minor repairs to small tendon tears that result in tennis elbow. More than one incision is sometimes needed for the surgeon to work properly, but all of the cuts made are very small. Patients who undergo an elbow arthroscopy can usually return home shortly after the procedure. They may need to rest the joint for a few days, but pain and swelling following surgery are typically minimal. Most people return to work within a few days, but strenuous physical activity should be avoided for at least six to eight weeks.

Many elbow arthroscopy patients go through several weeks of physical therapy after the procedure. The exercises and pain relief techniques taught in therapy help patients regain both strength and range of motion and also teach them how to manage pain and swelling due to chronic conditions, such as arthritis. Most therapy programs include at-home exercises a patient may have to perform for the rest of his life to keep the elbow functioning properly.

The elbow is a difficult area of the body for surgeons to work on because of the small space and the surrounding nerves and tissues. Some patients experience numbness or tingling following an elbow arthroscopy due to nerve injury. These problems are usually temporary, but they can be long-term or even permanent in cases of severe nerve damage.