Saeed Kokly - MD, Fellowship in Shoulder, Elbow & Sport Injuries Assistant professor, Golestan University of Medical Science

Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive technique used to diagnose and treat arange of conditions affecting the joint. Although elbow arthroscopy was developedmore than a decade ago, it remains less commonly used because a very tight spacein which the neuro vascular elements pass closely over the joint, constitutes themajor risk. Like as other procedures, good patient selection is very important. Thisprocedure is often used to release scar tissue, remove loose bodies or resurfacethe bone to decrease pain and improve range of motion, debride or cut awaythe unhealthy portion of the tendon in tennis elbow. In baseball pitchers elbowarthroscopy is used to confirm injury of the ulnar collateral ligament and to treatspurs and cartilage injuries that occur particularly in the posterior aspect of theelbow. As with any invasive procedure the risks associated with elbow arthroscopyare: Bleeding, Infection, Permanent or temporary nerve or blood vessel injury,Stiffness and need for further surgery.