Arthroscopic Surgery for the Elbow Joint
Elbow arthroscopy has evolved over the past decade. It can be used for the following conditions:
- examination of a painful joint
- simple removal of loose bodies
- resection of symptomatic plicae
- release of the capsule in patients with contracture
- removal of osteophytes
- synovectomy in patients with inflammatory arthritis
- treatment of osteochondritis dissecans
- debridement for treatment of lateral epicondylitis
- treatment of selected elbow fractures
Arthroscopic surgery has the advantages of being relatively atraumatic , with small incision wounds (2-3 wounds of < 1 cm in size). More importantly, a rthroscopy offers better joint visualization and accessibility in multiarticulated complex elbow joint and its surrounding structures. Arthroscopic surgery also offers quicker rehabilitation with l ess postoperative joint stiffness and pain when compared with conventional open surgery. In the normal circumstance, a patient can start normal daily activities within 1 week after a rthroscopic surgery.
Arthroscopic surgery provides an option to patients with joint problems, and has established increasing roles in the management of joint problems. However, it has to be noted that such novel surgical maneuvers require experienced hands with state of the art techniques and equipments.
