Arthroscopic elbow replacement removes damaged cartilage and bone in the elbow and replaces it with parts made of plastic, metal, or ceramic for durability. This procedure is performed with a minimally invasive method that utilizes an arthroscope (a narrow tube with a video camera on its end) inserted through small incisions in order to guide the surgeon through the procedure.
Also Known As:
- Minimally invasive elbow replacement
- Minimally invasive elbow arthroplasty
- Elbow arthroplasty
- Arthroplasty
Conditions Treated with Arthroscopic Elbow Replacement:
Arthroscopic elbow replacement is used to treat conditions such as elbow injury, limited elbow mobility, and elbow pain. It can also be used for arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow.
Non-surgical alternatives to arthroscopic elbow replacement include pain medication, strength training, and physical therapy, as well as steroid injections. Surgical alternatives include complete elbow replacement and elbow fusion.
Anesthesia with Arthroscopic Elbow Replacement:
Arthroscopic elbow replacement is performed under general anesthesia, which means that the patient is asleep and completely unaware for the procedure.
Potential Complications from Arthroscopic Elbow Replacement:
Patients undergoing arthroscopic elbow replacement might experience bleeding, infection, or a negative reaction to the anesthesia. The artificial elbow can also become dislocated and the artificial parts can be positioned incorrectly. In some cases, patients do not experience an improvement in mobility after the procedure.
Recovery from Arthroscopic Elbow Replacement:
The recovery time for arthroscopic elbow replacement is about six to eight weeks.