CONDITIONS TREATED

Elbow Arthroscopy

Location

The anatomy of the elbow is rather crowded. The single upper and two lower bones of the arm articulate and lie close to the various nerves and blood vessels in the upper and lower arm. Repetitive stress, such as might be caused by weight-lifting and overhead sports, may lead to the formation of small fragments of cartilage or bone to loosen and move around in the elbow joint. Also stress or trauma may cause the formation of elbow joint spurs.

Diagnosis

Following initial physical examination and review of any personal history that may explain elbow pain, MRI scan will classify the location and extent of an elbow lesion. In adolescent males, osteochondritis dissecans is a common condition causing fragmentation and possible separation of a portion of the cartilage of the joint.

Symptoms

Invariably there is pain around the elbow joint that is aggravated by motion, or restricts normal motion, with possible 'clicking' of the joint and swelling. This depends upon whether the osteochondral fragment remains in situ, is displaced or is loose within the joint cavity. Once detached from the underlying bone, healing isn't possible and the loose cartilage may swell causing restriction of normal joint movement.

Treatment

Although difficult, arthroscopy within the elbow joint to identify and treat an injury or arthritic damage to bones or bone spurs, can be highly successful. The arthroscope (small 'telescope') is inserted into the elbow joint through several very small incisions. Any loose cartilage, bone spurs and other irregularities can be visualised and then removed using an arthroscopic burr. Full recovery may be expected within 3-6 weeks for loose body removal and 8-12 weeks for elbow spur removal.