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ELBOW ARTHROSCOPY
The operation is done by key hole surgery; usually through two or three 5mm puncture wounds. It involves examination of the elbow joint using a tiny telescope with television camera introduced through a key hole
Key Hole surgery in the elbow is helpful for
• Removing loose bodies within joint seen with arthritis, osteochondral injuries or rarely in a disease called synovial ostechondromatosis.
• It is also useful to release stiff elbows,
• in debridement and synovectomy in arthritic elbows
• and in treating pain from tendonitis of the extensor muscles (commonly known as Tennis Elbow)
X-ray showing arthritis with loose bodies
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ELBOW REPLACEMENT - LINKED 
Useful in all arthritis which have failed other treatments.
Purpose of Operation
To provide a stable and pain free elbow joint. This is mainly a pain relieving procedure for arthritis of the elbow joint and rarely for complex fractures. Rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow is the other common indication for the elbow replacement. The implant that we use is a well tested joint replacement technique and is a hinged construct.
Benefits
To reduce or alleviate the pain in your elbow. Pain relief is significant.
Risks
Anaesthetic risk, Pain following surgery.
Infection which may need antibiotics and may delay healing. Rarely may need re operations. (ask your surgeon)
Unsightly scar.
Bleeding
Instability or Stiffness of the joint.
Neurovascular damage
Alternatives
Most people will have received other treatments from family Doctors or Rheumatologist such as-
Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, injection of steroids and other drugs into the joint and Physiotherapy.
Other operations available include making the joint solid and immoveable (Arthrodesis) or cleaning it out either by open surgery or through the key hole (Debridment). If the lining of the joint is very inflamed it can be removed through the key hole (Synovectomy).
If you do nothing the joint tends to get worse over time. Your surgeon will advice if waiting would be harmful or make the situation more difficult to deal with. |
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STIFF ELBOW
Arthritis of the Elbow
Arthritis of the elbow most commonly seen
Post traumatic, or
Osteoarthritis (normal wear and tear). or
Inflammatory -Rheumatoid Complaints - Stiffness – reduction in functional range of motion
- Locking, catching
- Pain
- Deformity
Rheumatoid arthritis with destruction of joint is seen less often now due to better medical and immunomodulatory treatments. The following stages
- Mild synovitis – osteopenia. Treatment is largely medical management.
- Moderate synovitis – narrow joint space – treated by synovectomy if drugs cannot relieve the pain. This can be done arthroscopically
- Severe synovitis – loss of articular cartilage- resurfacing arthroplasty
- Mechanical instability –destroyed joint- semi constrained arthroplasty
X-ray of elbow showing Rheumatoid arthritis and joint destruction |
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