Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is keyhole surgery of the elbow joint. It is a technically demanding procedure because the elbow is a small, tight joint with important nerves and blood vessels nearby. In experienced hands, however, it can be a very useful way to assess and treat a range of elbow problems through small incisions.
Dr Ye has a particular interest in elbow surgery and treats both paediatric and adult elbow conditions. Elbow arthroscopy forms part of his broader elbow practice, which also includes open surgery, nerve surgery, ligament reconstruction, trauma reconstruction and elbow replacement.
Why Elbow Arthroscopy?
Elbow arthroscopy allows the joint to be assessed from the inside. It can be used to identify cartilage damage, loose bodies, impinging bone spurs, inflammation, stiffness, instability patterns and osteochondral injuries.
The aim is not simply to make smaller incisions. The value of arthroscopy is that it allows targeted treatment of specific pathology within the elbow while minimising disruption to normal soft tissues. In many patients, arthroscopy can also be combined with open surgery, nerve release or stabilisation procedures when required.
Elbow Arthritis and Stiffness
One of the most useful roles for elbow arthroscopy is in early to moderate elbow osteoarthritis and stiffness. Patients may develop pain, loss of extension, loss of flexion, catching, locking or impingement at the ends of motion.
Arthroscopy can be used to remove loose bodies, clear inflamed tissue, remove impinging bone spurs and release tight portions of the capsule. This can help improve range of motion, reduce mechanical impingement and provide pain relief while preserving the patient’s own joint.
In more advanced arthritis, arthroscopy may still have a role in selected patients, but other options such as open release, interposition procedures, partial replacement or total elbow arthroplasty may need to be considered.
Adolescent and Sporting Elbow Problems
A significant part of Dr Ye’s practice involves adolescent elbow conditions. Elbow arthroscopy can be particularly valuable in younger patients with osteochondral lesions, cartilage injuries and loose bodies, especially in athletes or active adolescents.
Osteochondral lesions around the elbow can cause pain, swelling, catching, locking and loss of motion. Arthroscopy allows these areas to be assessed directly and treated with techniques such as loose body removal, debridement, drilling, fixation or cartilage-preserving procedures depending on the lesion and stage of injury.
Trauma and Post-traumatic Problems
Elbow arthroscopy may also be useful after trauma. It can assist in assessing the joint surface, removing loose bodies, treating cartilage injuries, improving stiffness and managing selected post-traumatic problems.
In more complex trauma or post-traumatic reconstruction, arthroscopy may be combined with open procedures. This can allow both direct joint assessment and more comprehensive treatment of fractures, instability, stiffness, nerve symptoms or deformity.
Lateral Elbow Pain and Instability
Not all lateral elbow pain is simple “tennis elbow”. Some patients have subtle instability, ligament injury, impingement or intra-articular pathology that contributes to ongoing pain.
Elbow arthroscopy can help assess the radiocapitellar joint, lateral soft tissues, cartilage surfaces and signs of instability. In selected patients, arthroscopy may be used to treat impingement, cartilage lesions, synovitis or subtle instability-related pathology. It may also be combined with open ligament repair or reconstruction when required.
Combined Arthroscopic and Open Elbow Surgery
Many elbow problems require a tailored approach. Some are best treated arthroscopically, some are best treated open, and some benefit from a combination of both.
As an upper limb surgeon with experience in paediatric elbow surgery, adult elbow reconstruction, nerve surgery and elbow arthroplasty, Dr Ye offers the full range of elbow treatment options. These include non-operative care, injections, physiotherapy, elbow arthroscopy, open release, ulnar nerve surgery, ligament stabilisation, fracture reconstruction, post-traumatic reconstruction, partial joint replacement and total elbow replacement.
Dr Ye is happy to see patients for second opinions or revision elbow problems, particularly where symptoms have persisted despite previous treatment, the diagnosis is unclear, or there is a complex combination of stiffness, pain, instability, nerve symptoms or arthritis.