Elbow Arthroscopy

What is elbow arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to look inside a joint using small incisions (portals) and instruments the width of a pencil. Most people are aware of knee and shoulder arthroscopy but the elbow joint has many conditions that can be treated with arthroscopy as well. The elbow is the joint that connects the upper arm bone and the forearm bones. Because the incisions used with elbow arthroscopy are smaller and disrupt less soft tissue than conventional open surgery, pain, swelling and stiffness are minimized and recovery is often faster.

When is elbow arthroscopy performed?

The role of elbow arthroscopy in the treatment of elbow disorders has been dramatically increasing over the past few years. There are a variety of conditions for which elbow arthroscopy can be useful in diagnosis and treatment, including arthritis, loose bodies in the joint, tennis elbow, stiffness and fractures.  Fractures of the elbow or any injury for that matter to the elbow can lead to significant stiffness of the joint. Release of stiff contracted elbows after injury is a being treated more frequently with elbow arthroscopy. Arthritis of the elbow although not curable by arthroscopy can result in significant improvement in symptoms and function.  After physical examination, X-rays, and possibly other studies such as CT or MRI scanning, your surgeon may recommend an arthroscopic procedure for treatment of your elbow disorder.

How is elbow arthroscopy performed?

The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia.  A fiberoptic camera is inserted through a small incision or portal around the elbow. The camera lens magnifies and projects the small structures in the elbow onto a television monitor, allowing the surgeon to accurately diagnose the condition. Several other small portals are used to allow the surgeon to place the camera in different positions to see different structures inside the joint as well as to place various small instruments into the elbow joint to help treat various problems in the elbow. Sometimes elbow arthroscopy is combined with open procedures.

After elbow arthroscopy
After your arthroscopy, you may be placed into an elbow splint that allows full mobility of your hand. The period of immobilization will vary depending on what was performed at the time of surgery. Elevating the involved extremity is important to prevent excessive swelling and pain after your surgery. Certain conditions require that you begin therapy right away and others may not require it at all. Often elbow arthroscopy is done as an ambulatory procedure allowing the patient to go home the same day but occasionally, depending on the condition a hospital stay may be needed.

Risks and limitations
As with any surgery, elbow arthroscopy has risks. These include infection and potential damage to nerves and arteries. Stiffness may need to be addressed through post operative rehabilitation. Elbow arthroscopy is not appropriate for all elbow conditions and is dependent on the surgeon’s training, expertise, and comfort level.


 

Dr.  Jack Choueka is an Adult and Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgeon

and Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at Maimonides Medical Center. 

Award winning hand surgeon Dr. Jack Choueka provides treatment for

all disorders of the upper extremity, including carpal tunnel syndrome,

arthritis, trauma, rotator cuff disease, and sports-related shoulder, elbow and wrist problems. He performs state-of-the-art surgery, including shoulder, elbow and wrist replacements. Dr. Choueka is a summa cum laude graduate from State University of New York Health Science Center’s Medical School; he completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Hospital for Joint Diseases Orthopaedic Institute.

Dr. Choueka can be reached at 718-283-7400.