Septic Arthritis of the Elbow: Arthroscopic Management

Septic arthritis of the elbow presents unique challenges due to its subcutaneous anatomy and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. With an annual incidence of 12.0 per 100,000 individuals and mortality rates reaching 11% in untreated cases, prompt and effective management is critical [1, 2]. Over the past two decades, arthroscopic synovectomy has emerged as a gold-standard treatment for acute cases without osteomyelitis, achieving infection resolution rates of 94–96% compared to 84–88% with open arthrotomy [1–4]. This review synthesizes evidence from clinical studies, microbiological data, and technical refinements to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing septic elbow arthritis, with particular emphasis on arthroscopic techniques.