Arthroscopic Treatment for Elbow Osteoarthritis

The elbow is a complex joint that relies on an intricate system of primary and secondary as well as static and dynamic stabilizing structures. The elbow joint is a heavily loaded area of the upper extremity. Moreover, it is prone to injuries, as it is exposed during falls. Rheumatic diseases often also affect the elbow joint. Deficits in elbow stability, repetitive mechanical overload, and injuries with defects of the articular surface, as well as inflammatory pathologies, may lead to arthritic degeneration of the elbow joint. Depending on the amount of degeneration, elbow arthritis can be treated conservatively or operatively. If severe joint destruction is present, usually prosthetic replacement is necessary, to allow pain-free mobility. In case of little or moderate degeneration, arthroscopic debridement is a valuable option. This chapter will discuss the different options of simple debridement, osteophyte resection, and arthrolysis.