Understanding Elbow Arthroscopy
If you’ve been experiencing persistent elbow pain, stiffness, locking, or catching sensations that haven’t improved with other treatments, your doctor might suggest an Elbow Arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows a surgeon to look inside your elbow joint and often fix problems without making a large incision.
What’s Going On in Your Elbow?
Your elbow is a complex hinge joint where three bones meet: your upper arm bone (humerus) and the two bones of your forearm (radius and ulna). Inside this joint, there are cartilage surfaces, ligaments, and tendons that allow for smooth movement.
Sometimes, problems can develop within the elbow joint, such as:
- Loose bodies: Small pieces of bone or cartilage that break off and float around, causing clicking, catching, or locking.
- Bone spurs: Extra growths of bone that can pinch tissues or limit movement.
- Cartilage damage: The smooth lining of the joint can wear down or get damaged.
- Inflammation: The lining of the joint (synovium) can become irritated and swollen.
- Stiffness: Scar tissue can form, limiting your elbow’s ability to bend or straighten fully.
How Does Elbow Arthroscopy Help?
Elbow arthroscopy is a surgical technique that uses a tiny camera (an arthroscope) and small specialized tools to diagnose and treat problems inside the joint. Because it involves much smaller incisions compared to traditional open surgery, it often leads to:
- Less pain after surgery
- Faster recovery time
- Smaller scars
- Reduced risk of infection
During the procedure, the surgeon will:
- Make Small Incisions: A few tiny cuts (about the size of a buttonhole) are made around your elbow.
- Insert the Arthroscope: The small camera is inserted through one incision, sending images of the inside of your elbow to a video monitor. This allows the surgeon to get a clear view of all the structures within the joint.
- Perform the Repair: Through other small incisions, tiny instruments are inserted to address the problem. Depending on what’s found, the surgeon can:
- Remove loose bodies or bone spurs.
- Trim or repair damaged cartilage.
- Clean out inflamed tissue.
- Release scar tissue to improve movement.
Life After Elbow Arthroscopy
After your elbow arthroscopy, physical therapy is a critical part of your recovery. Your physical therapist will work closely with you to help you regain full use of your elbow. Your rehabilitation plan will typically include:
- Pain and Swelling Management: Techniques to reduce discomfort and swelling immediately after surgery.
- Gentle Movement Restoration: Starting with carefully controlled exercises to restore the range of motion in your elbow.
- Strengthening Exercises: As your elbow heals, exercises will be introduced to strengthen the muscles around your elbow, forearm, and shoulder, which are vital for stability and function.
- Functional Training: Your therapist will guide you through activities to help you gradually return to your daily tasks, work, and sports with confidence.
The recovery timeline will vary depending on the specific procedures performed during the arthroscopy, but following your physical therapist’s instructions is essential for a smooth and effective return to your normal activities.