The development of special arthroscopes for small joints has led to major advances over the last 10 years and thus to improved treatment options for arthroscopic surgery of the elbow joint. This has resulted in improved treatment options and a wider range of applications. Access to all sections of the joint - previously only possible with multiple incisions into the skin - has now become possible thanks to elbow arthroscopy.
The need for arthroscopic treatment of the elbow mainly arises from entrapments by loose bodies (‘joint mice’ or articular calculus) and from arthrosis-related stress-induced pain. The treatment is also an option for disorders affecting cartilage or bones (even including the assessment of breaks), particularly at the head of the radius, but also in all other sections of the elbow joint. Other good indications for an elbow arthroscopy are often arthrolysis of ossifications associated with severe limitations to mobility and the removal of inflamed synovial membrane (synovialitis), particularly in cases of rheumatic disorders.
In cases of damage to articular cartilage, cartilage treatment can be carried out, in a similar manner to in the knee joint. Most commonly, the damaged cartilage is removed carefully, smoothed and, if necessary, the bone underneath debrided, in order to encourage generation of new fibrocartilage. In rarer cases, the transplantation of cartilage may be necessary as well.
Bony spurs (osteophytes) both at the lateral side (outside) and the medial side (inside) of the elbow joint are a common cause of pain, swelling and movement restrictions in athletes involved in ball games (thrower's elbow). In these cases, arthroscopic ablation of the osteophytes represents promising and proven treatment.