Elbow Arthroscopy Surgery in Bangalore

Overview

Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that is performed to diagnose and treat various conditions of the elbow. In this procedure, a small arthroscope, or camera, is inserted into the elbow joint through small incisions. By using the arthroscope, the surgeon can visualize the inside of the joint and address issues such as loose body, damaged cartilage, inflammation, or a ligament tear. With smaller incisions and less disruption of the tissue compared to traditional surgery, the patient can recover much faster with less pain and better functioning. This is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means it is less invasive than open surgery. Read on to know more.

How to Prepare for an Elbow Arthroscopy?

The typical steps in preparation for an elbow arthroscopy are as follows:

• Consultation: Your orthopedic surgeon will schedule a consultation to discuss the process, ask questions, and understand what to expect before, during, and after your surgery.
• Medical evaluation: You will undergo a thorough medical evaluation including blood tests, imaging studies (such as X-rays or MRIs), and possibly an electrocardiogram (ECG) to ensure you are in good health and to identify any possible risks or complications.
• Medications review: You will be asked to provide a complete list of all medications you are currently taking including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal remedies. Your surgeon may ask you to adjust or temporarily discontinue certain medications, such as blood thinners, before your surgery.
• Lifestyle changes: Follow any specific instructions from your surgeon before your surgery regarding lifestyle changes. This may include quitting smoking, abstaining from drinking alcohol, and having a healthy diet to optimize healing and reduce complications.
• Preoperative instructions: Follow any instructions you have received from your health care provider or surgeon. This may include fasting for a certain period before the surgery and avoiding food or drink after midnight on the day of the procedure. You may also need to arrange transportation to and from the hospital or surgical center.

Following these preparations will help to ensure a smoother, safer experience with elbow arthroscopy.

What Happens During an Elbow Arthroscopy?

The following steps are usually followed during an elbow arthroscopy:

• Anesthesia: You will receive anesthesia to ensure you are comfortable and free of pain during the procedure. This could be general anesthesia, where you are asleep throughout the procedure, or regional anesthesia where only your arm is numbed.
• Incisions: Small incisions, usually about 1 to 2 centimeters long, are made around your elbow joint. These incisions are used to insert the arthroscope and surgical instruments.
• Arthroscopic examination: An arthroscope is a small pencil-sized camera that is inserted into one of the incisions. The arthroscope takes a clear picture of the inside of your elbow joint. This way, the surgeon can evaluate the extent and nature of your problem and make a precise diagnosis.
• Treatment: Based on the findings of an arthroscopic examination, the surgeon may perform a variety of actions to address the issue. This may include, removing loose bodies (such as bone or cartilage fragments), reconstructing tendons or ligaments, removing damaged tissue, shaving rough surfaces, or other necessary actions.
• Closure: After the procedure, the surgical instruments and arthroscope are removed from the joint, and the incisions are sewed with sutures or covered with adhesive strips.
• Dressing: Sterile dressings may be used over the incision points to protect them and encourage healing.
• Recovery: After the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will be monitored until you wake up from anesthesia.  Once you were awake and steady, you could go home with specific advice for your post-operative care including pain management, restrictions on activity, and follow-up care.

Overall, elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that offers a thorough examination and treatment of various elbow conditions with less pain, quicker recuperation, and reduced problems compared to conventional, open surgery.

Elbow Arthroscopy - Benefits and Risks

Benefits

• Minimally invasive: Smaller incisions lead to less damage to the tissue and quicker recovery times.
• Precise diagnosis: Allows the direct view of the joint for accurate assessment.
• Reduced pain: Provide relief from elbow pain and improve joint function.
• Lower risks of complications: Compared with the traditional open surgery.
• Out-patient procedure: Often performed on a same-day basis, minimizing hospital stays.

Risks

• Infection: There is a possibility of infection at the incision sites or within the joint.
• Injury to nerves or blood vessels: These could be damaged in the course of the procedure.
• Stiffness or limited range of motion: This can happen while the joint is healing process.
• Bleeding or blood clots: Any surgical procedure carries a small risk of  bleeding or blood clots.

Failure to relieve symptoms: Occasionally further surgery is needed.