What is Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is a procedure that is performed to diagnose or treat injuries in the elbow joint. The elbow is the large joint between your upper arm (humerus) and your forearm (radiusand ulna).
A small telescope-like instrument (arthroscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions into your elbow joint. This allows the surgeon to look directly into the joint and fix any problems at the same time. You may need this procedure if your elbow:
- Has been injured.
- Has a disease.
- Has inflammation or swelling.
- Has pain or stiffness.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
- Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Damage to nerves or blood vessels of your elbow.
- Allergic reactions to medicines.
- Blood clots.
- Failure to relieve symptoms.
- Bone overgrowth (bone spur).
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:
- Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:
- 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
- 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicines
- Ask
your health care provider about:
- Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
- Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
- You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
General instructions
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
- If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.
- Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
- You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.
- Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for as long as directed before your procedure. This includes cigarettes or e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- You
may have a physical exam and your medical history may be discussed. You
may also have tests done, such as:
- X-rays.
- CT scan.
- MRI.
What happens during the procedure?
- To
lower your risk of infection:
- Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
- Your skin will be washed with soap.
- Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
- An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
- You
will be given one or more of the following:
- A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
- A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
- A cuff (tourniquet) may be placed around your arm to slow bleeding during the procedure.
- Several small incisions will be made in your elbow.
- Your elbow will be flushed and filled with a germ-free (sterile) saltwater solution (saline) to expand the joint and clear away any blood. This lets your surgeon see your elbow more clearly.
- Your surgeon will insert the arthroscope to examine your elbow. Your surgeon will look for any problems, such as ligament tears, cartilage tears, loose pieces of bone or cartilage pieces, or small bone spurs and fix the problem.
- The incisions will be closed.
- A bandage (dressing) will be placed over the incisions.
- Another soft dressing, a splint, or a sling may also be placed on your elbow.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may be given a medicine that is injected into an area of your body to numb everything below the injection site (regional anesthetic). This can help with the pain.
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
- You will be given pain medicine.
- You will raise (elevate) your elbow and put ice on it regularly for the next two days after surgery.
- Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative. Ask your health care provider when it is safe for you to drive.
Summary
- Elbow arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to look into the elbow joint in order to diagnose and treat any problems in the elbow.
- A bandage, splint, or a sling may be placed on your elbow after the procedure.
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
Elbow Arthroscopy, Care After
This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
After the procedure, it is common to have swelling, stiffness, and pain. It may take several weeks for your pain to fully go away.
Follow these instructions at home:
If you have a splint or sling:
- Wear the splint or sling as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
- Loosen the splint or sling if your fingers tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
- Keep the splint or sling clean.
If the splint or sling is not waterproof:
- Do notlet it get wet.
- Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a shower.
Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. Also, make sure your hand is higher than your elbow when elevating your elbow.
- If
directed, put ice on the injured area:
- If you have a removable splint or sling, remove it as told by your health care provider.
- Put ice in a plastic bag.
- Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
- Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
- Your health care provider may give you an elbow wrap to wear. Wear the wrap as told by your health care provider.
Incision care
- Follow
instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your
incisions. Make sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
- Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
- Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
- Check
your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- Redness, swelling, or pain.
- Fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
- Keep the dressing dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.
Driving
- Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine or if your arm has a splint or sling. Ask your health care provider when it is safe for you to drive.
General instructions
- Do any exercises or physical therapy as told by your health care provider.
- Do notlift weights, throw objects, or do any strenuous activities until your health care provider approves.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- To
prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain
medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These can delay healing. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision area.
- You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision area.
- Your incision feels warm to the touch.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision area.
Get help right away if:
- Your incision site breaks open after the closures were removed.
- You develop a rash.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have chest pain.
- You have numbness in your hands or fingers, and it gets worse.
- You have pain that does not get better by taking pain medicines.
Summary
- It is common to have swelling, stiffness, and pain after the procedure. Take over-the-counter and prescription pain medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Elevating and putting ice on your elbow will help manage the swelling and the pain.
- Do not lift weights, throw objects, or do any strenuous activities until your health care provider approves.
