Elbow Arthroscopy

Pre-Procedural activities

• Patient will be prepared for the surgery by taking blood tests, ECG or chest X-ray, for a safe surgery.
• Inform the doctor of the medications and supplements, you are presently taking. You might have to stop taking Ibuprofen or aspirin, before the procedure.
• Please refrain from eating and drinking 6 hours prior to procedure.

During procedure

• Patient will be given general anaesthetic before the surgery, which is putting patient to sleep. Patient will also be given intravenous antibiotics to lessen infection.
• The doctor will decide the following patient positions depending on the procedure.
  
  • Prone Position: lying on the stomach.
  • Lateral Decubitius Position: patient will lie on his/her side.
• The spine and other pressure points in arms and legs are padded and protected after the positioning the patient.
• A tourniquet is applied to the upper arm to keep it in position.
• Lines are drawn on the elbow to indicate the ulnar nerve and olecranon bone as well as the incision points.
• The surgeon will begin by making incisions or cuts in the elbow and saline will be pumped into your elbow to expand it, helping to see better.
• The arthroscope is entered through this incision and the tiny camera is used to view and take images of the injured area.
• Once the problem in the elbow is located, small tools are inserted into the incisions to rectify this issue.
• Once the surgery is over, saline is drained out and the incisions are closed with stitches.

Post-Procedural Activities

• The patient usually can leave the next day itself .
• The doctor might suggest icepack, elevation and change of dressing at home. The icepack will help reduce the swelling and minimize pain.
• Doctor will need to see you at a follow-up appointment after a few days.
• You might have to follow an exercise regimen, as instructed by the doctor or physical therapist.