Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique by which, through small incisions and with the help of a small camera, it is possible to work inside the elbow joint, diagnose and treat pathologies that were previously difficult to recognize and that required a more aggressive surgical approach, which caused greater complications after surgery. Dr. Carratalá, a specialist in Traumatology in Valencia, explains in this article all the keys to understand what this procedure consists of.
Advantages of elbow arthroscopy surgery
The advantages are many, since it allows a direct vision of the pathology, a more complete understanding and diagnosis and a very precise treatment, all through small incisions, which also gives us more advantages, such as less postoperative pain, less loss of mobility of the elbow, less risk of wound infection and, sometimes, less need to immobilize the joint after surgery.
Pathologies to be treated with this procedure
The indications for the use of this technique are becoming wider and wider and more and more procedures are being performed on the elbow through arthroscopy, either inside the joint or even on the surrounding structures such as tendons and nerves.
The most frequent indications are:
– Stiffness and loss of mobility of the elbow.
– Articular blockages (articular free bodies).
– Epicondylitis or tennis elbow
– Cartilage lesions (Osteochondritis dissecans)
– Trauma and joint fractures
– Arthrosis of the elbow and rheumatoid arthritis.
– Some ligamentous instabilities of the elbow
– Biceps tendon ruptures
– Ulnar nerve entrapments
A prior assessment by an orthopedic specialist familiar with the technique is always necessary.
Recovery after elbow arthroscopy surgery
As a general rule, being a minimally invasive technique, recovery is faster than in cases performed by open surgery. Postoperative pain is less and elbow mobility can begin a few days after surgery, in some cases it starts the day after surgery. In any case this will depend on each case since there are injuries that require greater immobilization.
Anesthesia and hospitalization for the intervention
The procedure is performed under loco-regional anesthesia, i.e. only the arm to be operated on is put to sleep. In most cases we perform the intervention on an outpatient basis, without having to spend a night in the hospital. After a few hours of surgery the patient can go home.
How to know which specialist to see
It is very important, as in every injury, whatever the joint, to go to a specialist well trained in that type of injury and in the procedures that exist to address it.
In the case of the elbow, it is vital to have training and experience in the injuries surrounding this peculiar joint and, above all, specific training in elbow arthroscopy. The elbow joint is one of the joints with the greatest potential risks during surgery because it is surrounded by vascular and nerve structures. By having an expert perform this procedure, the risk is reduced and possible complications are avoided.