Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow Arthroscopy in San Antonio, TX
If your elbow catches, locks, feels stiff or aches with activity, the cause may be loose pieces of bone or cartilage, bone spurs, inflamed tissue or early arthritis inside the joint. When rest and therapy have not been enough, elbow arthroscopy lets your surgeon look inside the joint and treat many of these problems through small incisions.
Travis C. Burns, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in San Antonio, TX, performs elbow arthroscopy and sees patients at his Medical Center, Alamo Heights and Westover Hills offices. Dr. Burns considers your symptoms, imaging and activity goals when discussing whether arthroscopy is right for you.
What Is Elbow Arthroscopy?
Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery in which a small camera, called an arthroscope, and thin instruments are inserted through a few small incisions to examine and treat problems inside your elbow joint. The camera shows the inside of the joint on a monitor, so your surgeon can see the cartilage, joint lining and bone without a large incision.
For pain on the outside of the elbow, see Tennis Elbow and Tennis Elbow Surgery (ECRB Debridement). For pain at the front of the elbow after a lifting injury, see Distal Biceps Rupture.
What Are the Benefits of Elbow Arthroscopy?
If you are an appropriate candidate, elbow arthroscopy may offer potential benefits:
- Smaller incisions: Less disruption of the surrounding muscle and skin than open surgery.
- Less pain with motion: Removing loose bodies, spurs or inflamed tissue may ease catching and aching.
- Improved motion: Treating spurs and scar tissue may help you bend and straighten your elbow more fully.
- Early movement: Gentle motion begins soon after surgery.
- Diagnosis and treatment together: Your surgeon can confirm the problem and treat it in one procedure.
Your benefits depend on your condition, the findings inside the joint and your rehabilitation.
Who Needs Elbow Arthroscopy?
You may be a candidate for elbow arthroscopy when examination and imaging show a problem inside the joint and your symptoms persist despite nonsurgical care. Situations may include:
- Loose pieces of bone or cartilage that cause catching or locking
- Bone spurs that limit motion or cause pain
- Stiffness or loss of motion
- Inflamed joint lining (synovitis)
- Early arthritis or cartilage damage
- Pain that has not improved with rest, therapy, medication or injections
Not every elbow problem needs surgery. Many patients improve with rest, therapy and activity changes, and Dr. Burns can discuss which approach fits you.
What Does Preparation for Elbow Arthroscopy Involve?
Your evaluation includes a history, an exam of your elbow's motion, strength, stability and nerves, and imaging such as X-rays, with MRI or CT as needed. You and your surgeon will discuss the goals of surgery and what to expect.
Before surgery, you will receive instructions as outlined in the Preoperative Instructions. Planning for help with daily tasks during the first days after surgery may make your recovery easier.
How Is Elbow Arthroscopy Performed?
After you receive anesthesia, a few small incisions are made around your elbow. The arthroscope is inserted to view the joint, and small instruments are used through the other incisions to treat the problem, such as removing loose bodies, trimming bone spurs or removing inflamed tissue. The exact steps depend on what is found and are discussed with you before surgery.
The incisions are closed and a splint is applied.
What to Expect During Recovery After Elbow Arthroscopy?
Dr. Burns' elbow arthroscopy protocol outlines each stage of your rehabilitation, with an emphasis on early gentle motion.
The First Two Weeks
The goals are pain control and early range of motion. Your splint is changed to an elbow brace at your first post-op appointment, and your sutures are typically removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. Early exercises include active motion of your shoulder, wrist and hand without pushing into painful range, shoulder shrugs and ice as needed. See the Postoperative Instructions.
Weeks 2 to 6
The goal is pain-free daily activities. Therapy adds pain-free isometric exercises, hand squeezing with putty or a sponge, a low-resistance arm bike, an elliptical trainer with a light grip and a running progression. See the Physical Therapy Protocols page.
Weeks 6 to 12
The goals are full elbow motion, normal elbow strength and a return to full activities. Therapy adds resisted wrist and forearm exercises, regular push-ups and weight training.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Elbow Arthroscopy?
As with any surgery, there are potential risks. Possible risks and complications include:
- Infection
- Stiffness or loss of motion
- Nerve injury, which may cause numbness or weakness
- Blood vessel injury
- Fluid leakage or wound problems at the incisions
- Persistent pain
- Complications related to anesthesia
Your surgeon can discuss these risks and how they apply to you based on your individual condition, health and activity goals.
Why Choose Dr. Burns for Elbow Arthroscopy in San Antonio, TX?
Travis C. Burns, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine through the John A. Feagin, Jr. Sports Medicine Fellowship. His practice centers on arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, hip and knee, which is directly relevant to minimally invasive treatment of joint problems, including the elbow.
Dr. Burns previously served as Chief of Sports Medicine at San Antonio Military Medical Center, where his clinical focus was complex shoulder, hip and knee injuries. He has been active in research and academic medicine, including more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. You can meet with him at the Medical Center, Alamo Heights or Westover Hills office, depending on what is most convenient for you.
Elbow Arthroscopy FAQs
What is elbow arthroscopy?
Elbow arthroscopy is minimally invasive surgery that uses a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to diagnose and treat problems inside your elbow joint.
What problems can elbow arthroscopy treat?
It can treat loose bodies, bone spurs, stiffness, inflamed joint lining and some cartilage problems. Your surgeon will explain which apply to you.
Will I wear a splint or brace?
Yes, briefly. A splint is applied after surgery and is changed to an elbow brace at your first post-op appointment.
When are stitches removed?
Typically 10 to 14 days after surgery.
When can I return to full activities?
Usually between 6 and 12 weeks, once you have full motion and normal elbow strength.
Elbow Arthroscopy in San Antonio, TX
If your elbow catches, locks or has lost motion, an evaluation can help you understand whether arthroscopy may help. Request an appointment in San Antonio with Dr. Burns at the Medical Center, Alamo Heights or Westover Hills office to discuss your elbow arthroscopy options. You can call (210) 705-5060 to schedule a visit.
