Elbow Arthroscopy
What is the procedure?
Elbow arthroscopy is keyhole surgery that uses a small camera and instruments inserted through small portals around the elbow. It allows the surgeon to inspect the joint, treat specific problems, and minimise the soft tissue disruption compared with larger open incisions.
Elbow arthroscopy can be used to remove loose bodies, trim bone spurs causing impingement, release scar tissue to improve stiffness, treat synovitis, and address selected cartilage problems such as osteochondritis dissecans. It can also be used as part of treatment for some tendon and ligament-related conditions in selected cases.
What problems can it treat?
Common arthroscopy indications include mechanical symptoms from loose bodies, impingement-related end-range pain, early to moderate osteoarthritis with spurs, post-traumatic or post-surgical stiffness, synovitis, and selected athletic impingement syndromes.
Arthroscopy is not ideal for every elbow problem. For advanced arthritis with mid-range pain, arthroscopy may provide limited benefit and other procedures may be required.
What happens on the day of surgery?
The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthetic and is commonly a day procedure. Your arm is positioned carefully to allow safe access to the joint.
Small portals are made for the camera and instruments. The surgeon treats the identified pathology and then closes the portals with small stitches. A bulky dressing is applied.
Recovery and rehabilitation
Early movement is encouraged to reduce stiffness. The exact timeline depends on what was done during the arthroscopy. For example, removing loose bodies may allow a quicker return to function than an extensive capsular release or spur resection.
Physiotherapy is commonly recommended to guide range of motion recovery and then progressive strengthening. Swelling management and scar care are important in the early phase.
Expected outcomes
When the indication is appropriate, arthroscopy can provide meaningful pain relief, improve motion, and improve function. The outcome depends on the underlying joint condition and the extent of cartilage wear.
Risks and complications
Risks include infection, bleeding, persistent stiffness, and ongoing symptoms if the underlying disease is advanced. Nerves run close to arthroscopy portals, so temporary nerve irritation can occur and nerve injury, while uncommon, is a recognised risk.
When should I seek urgent review?
Seek urgent medical review if you develop increasing redness, heat, rapidly worsening swelling, fever, increasing pain that does not settle with rest, or new weakness or numbness in the hand. If you have had a recent injury and the elbow looks deformed, feels unstable, or you cannot move it, this also requires urgent assessment.
Surgery, Risks and Recovery
Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite appropriate non-operative treatment, when imaging or nerve studies confirm structural pathology, or when weakness, locking, or mechanical symptoms are present.
Operations are usually performed as day procedures under regional or general anaesthetic. Techniques depend on the underlying condition and may involve tendon debridement or repair, arthroscopic bone spur removal, loose body excision, fracture fixation, ligament reconstruction, nerve decompression, or joint replacement.
General risks include infection, bleeding, stiffness, scar sensitivity, nerve irritation, persistent symptoms, recurrence, and the need for further surgery. Condition-specific risks are discussed prior to surgery.
Recovery varies according to the procedure performed. Gentle motion is usually encouraged early. Wounds typically heal within two weeks. Light activities resume over two to four weeks for minor procedures, while larger reconstructions or replacements may require several months of rehabilitation.
Patients often notice improvement within six to twelve weeks, although full recovery may continue for up to a year depending on the pathology treated.
What does the rehabilitation/recovery involve?
To find out more about rehabilitation and recovery after elbow surgery please see our Rehabilitation Protocols here.