Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is a surgical approach used in traditional elbow surgeries. As opposed to a traditional surgery, arthroscopy is less invasive and complex. Arthroscopy can also be used to diagnose elbow injuries.
Arthroscopy uses small incisions. During a typical procedure, a camera, or fiber optic device is inserted into the arm; the injury is viewable on a screen. Small tools are then inserted into incisions to examine the area around the elbow. With small movements, surgeons can correct the injury without damaging surrounding tissue.
In addition to being used to treat conditions, elbow arthroscopy can be used to diagnose symptoms. The camera, inserted into a patient’s arm, can help identify problems not visible at the arm’s surface. Then, if the injury is easily corrected, your surgeon can perform your diagnosis and your correction during one appointment.
Elbow arthroscopy can correct a variety of injuries. Arthroscopy can be used for the following conditions:
- Tennis elbow
- Cartilage removal
- Arthritis in the arm
- Bone fracture removal
- Joint replacement
Because it uses smaller incisions and is less invasive, arthroscopy lessons surgical recovery time. For certain conditions, arthroscopy allows diagnosis and treatment in the same appointment and can limit recovery time even more. Arthroscopic patients can experience the same results as an open surgery without the associated risks.