Elbow arthroscopy, being a minimally invasive procedure, offers several advantages:

• Smaller scars which are cosmetically better
• Less tissue injury
• Minimal pain
• Shorter hospitalisation (day care or 1 day stay)
• Faster recovery
• Lower infection rates

The elbow joint is vulnerable to a variety of injuries as well as non-traumatic lesions.

The most common elbow problems where elbow arthroscopy may be recommended for diagnosis and treatment are:

• Debridement of loose bodies such as bone chips or torn cartilage tissue
• Removal of scar tissue and release of joint contractures
• Removal of bony spurs: These are extra bony growths, at the ends of the bones, caused by injury or arthritis. These cause pain and limit elbow mobility.
• Removal of synovial tissue (synovectomy) in rheumatoid arthritis
• Management of osteochondral lesions of the cartilage and bones in the joint space.
• Excision of the radial head
• Soft tissue biopsy from the elbow joint

Arthroscopic joint debridement for managing elbow joint infections

• Elbow arthroscopy is commonly performed under general anaesthesia as day-care or 1 day stay procedure in a suitably counselled and consented patient.
• The patient is placed in a lateral or prone position which allows the surgeon to easily adjust the arthroscope and have a clear view of the inside of the elbow.
• Several tiny incisions are made at safe sites around the elbow. The first incision is made on the outer side of the elbow from the safest site. The arthroscope attached to a camera is the inserted from this lateral wound to look into the elbow joint.
• To enhance the clarity of the elbow structures through the arthroscope, the surgeon fills the elbow joint with a sterile liquid, generally normal saline. The liquid flows through the arthroscope to maintain clarity and to restrict any bleeding.
• The arthroscope with its attached camera displays the internal structures of the elbow on the video monitor and helps the surgeon to evaluate the joint and assess any pathology noted.
• Additional portals are made and surgical instruments like probes, punches and scissors are inserted to fix the problem.
• At the end of the procedure, the surgical incisions are closed by sutures, and sterile dressings are applied. Then a soft compression bandage is applied and a shoulder sling is given. Surgeon may use an elbow range of motion splint if needed to protect any reconstructive work done on the elbow.

• Most patients are discharged the same day or the next day after elbow arthroscopy. Recovery after the surgery depends on the type of procedure performed. Recovery from simple procedures is often fast. However, recovery from complicated or complex procedures takes a little longer. Patients are counselled pre-operatively about their recovery time which can be between 2 to 6 weeks for simple procedures and 6 to 12 weeks for complex procedures.
• Recovery from elbow arthroscopy is much faster than that from an open elbow surgery.
• Pain medicines are prescribed to manage pain for the first 3 to 5 days. Thereafter they are taken only if required.
• Ice packs are given 4 to 5 times a day and carried on for 3 to 4 weeks.
• Arm is kept elevated over pillows to keep it above the level of the heart. This reduces pain and swelling.
• Physiotherapist visits patients prior to their discharge from the hospital. Elbow exercises are taught and then carried on by patient at home for minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. For complex surgeries patients may need to be seen by a physiotherapist on a regular basis and for longer duration of about 2 to 3 months. This type of formal rehabilitation program ensures successful and faster recovery.
• Eating a healthy diet and not smoking helps in wound healing.
• The wounds get inspected and sutures are removed after 10-12 days

• Elbow arthroscopy is a safe procedure and complications are very rare.

  Complications that may arise from elbow arthroscopic surgery are bleeding into the elbow joint, infection, swelling, elbow stiffness, blood clots, damage to surrounding nerves, blood vessels, joint cartilage, ligaments and continuing elbow problems.