Elbow Arthroscopy

Overview

Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique used by orthopaedic surgeons to diagnose and treat a range of conditions affecting the joint.

As in other joints, arthroscopy of the elbow involves the use of fiberoptics and a tiny camera that is inserted through small incisions or portals. Magnified pictures from the camera are projected onto a television monitor in the operating suite. When the procedure is employed to treat an injured or diseased joint, the orthopaedic surgeon inserts miniaturized surgical instruments through an additional portal.

In contrast to traditional surgery, using large incisions to open the joint, there is no injury to surrounding soft tissues with arthroscopy. Moreover, the technique allows the surgeon to view the elbow joint from multiple angles, allowing for a more thorough evaluation.

Before performing an elbow arthroscopy, the orthopaedic surgeon obtains an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-rays of the joint. Respectively, these images provide information about the soft tissues surrounding the bones—cartilage, tendons and ligaments—and the bones themselves which may have irregularities including spurs (extra growths that can cause pain and inflammation). Placement of the portals may also be guided by these findings.

Elbow arthroscopy is used as a diagnostic tool for pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. Some of the more common diagnoses include:

• adhesions, soft tissue bands that block motion as a result of a previous injury to the elbow, such as a fracture
• contractures, a condition in which the muscle and tendons are abnormally contracted, thereby limiting range of motion, loose bodies, fragments of bone or cartilage that break loose causing pain, catching and locking of the joint, and
• arthritis, a disease that is characterized by the wearing away of cartilage, the tissue that helps bones glide smoothly against each other during movement.

"The orthopaedic surgeon can also treat certain conditions using arthroscopy," according to David W. Altchek, MD, who is an associate attending orthopaedic surgeon at HSS.

Arthritic bone can be debrided—a technique that renders the surfaces that come in contact with one another smoother and less likely to cause stiffness and catching during movement. Loose bodies can be removed and adhesions and contractures released, thereby improving or restoring range of motion. And, arthroscopy is used by some orthopaedic surgeons to debride or cut away the unhealthy portion of the tendon in tennis elbow.

"Moreover, elbow arthroscopy is a very useful technique for diagnosis and treatment of problems in the subgroup of patients made up of throwing athletes, especially baseball pitchers,” says Dr. Altchek. “In this population elbow arthroscopy is used to confirm injury of the ulnar collateral ligament and to treat spurs and cartilage injuries that occur—particularly in the posterior aspect of the elbow."

Although elbow arthroscopy was developed more than a decade ago, it remains less commonly used than arthroscopy of other joints such as the knee or shoulder. The constraints of working in the elbow, a very tight space in which the nerves pass closely over the joint, require specialized training. Proximity of those nerves also constitutes the major risk specific to the procedure, nerve injury that can result in temporary numbness.

Elbow arthroscopy is performed under regional or local anesthesia and hospitalization is not required.

Updated: 12/7/2009

Summary prepared by Nancy Novick

Authors

David W. Altchek, MD
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Co-Chief Emeritus, Sports Medicine, Hospital for Special Surgery

Related articles