Elbow Arthroscopy

Elbow arthroscopy is an operation performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in cases of elbow pain. Elbow arthroscopy relies on making tiny incisions and sometimes one incision to see the elbow through monitoring a screen that is connected with the camera. 

The elbow joint is the junction of the humerus bone with the radius and ulna, thus allowing a certain range of motion of the arm in the desired directions.

Elbow arthroscopy is characterized by a shorter recovery period compared to traditional (open) surgery that involve longer period to return to normal life.

Treatment period in Jordan takes "3 to 4 days" approximately.

Elbow arthroscopy may be conducted because of several reasons, including:

• Unexplained pain in the elbow joint.
• Failure to respond to medications and physical therapy to treat elbow joint pain.
• Treatment of tennis elbow.
• Treatment of elbow stiffness and inflammation.
• Treatment of adhesions and contractures within the elbow.
• Diagnostic purposes.
• Treatment of osteoarthritis. 

The patient undergoes a series of tests before elbow arthroscopy, including:

• Clinical examination.
• X-rays examination.
• MRI.
• Blood tests.

Elbow arthroscopy involves a range of problems and complications as well as other operations, whether associated with anesthesia or with the operation itself, some complications and problems including:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Damage to nerves and blood vessels in the joint.
• Damage to the tissues surrounding the elbow joint.
• Loss of ability to move the arm.
• Blood clots.
• Scarring tissue in the skin around the elbow.
• Allergic reactions to medications or the used tools.

Elbow arthroscopy steps include the following stages:

• Patient preparation: Patients are required to refrain from taking blood thinners such as warfarin and other drugs prescribed by the specialist, in addition to the need to stay away from smoking before the surgery to improve the chances of recovery and wound healing. The patient should refrain from food and drink 6-12 hours before the surgery.
• During the surgery: The steps of the surgery include the following:

1. Anesthesia of the patient (general or local anesthetic).
2. Make 2 to 4 small incisions in the elbow joint area to insert special instruments, one of them is carrying the camera to allow monitoring the inner structures during the surgery.
3. Filling the joint with fluid to minimize the damage that may happen to nerves and blood vascular in the joint.
4. Performing the needed step even to diagnose or treat the problem in the elbow joint.
5. Close the incisions with stitches and cover them with bandages and then wrap the elbow with a splint to prevent the joint from moving until it heals (determined by the surgeon).

The patient feels pain during the first week after elbow arthroscopy, so you may have to rely on a set of painkillers during this period. The recovery period until wounds heal can take a few weeks, but the full recovery may take months in which the patient should take into account some tips that may help him to recover in a shorter time, including: resting as much as possible, keeping the wound clean and dry, eating healthy food, avoiding smoking and lifting weights.

It is preferable to wear compression dressing that extends from the armpit to the hand once the splint is removed; to relieve pain and increase the level of movement around the elbow.

(To be added soon, God willing)

• Hip replacement surgery
• Hand arthroscopy
• Trigger finger surgery

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Last updated in 16 November, 2021

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7. Elbow arthroscopy: what to expect at home. (2020). Retrieved from MyHealth: https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zc2412