Elbow Arthrolysis

You’ll be given a general anaesthetic so that you’re asleep during the procedure. This also means you won’t feel any pain. Your orthopaedic surgeon will then:

1. Make several small cuts into the back of your arm or elbow.

2. Insert an arthroscope (a small tube with a camera and light to help guide your surgeon).

3. Remove tight tissues, scar tissues, osteophytes, and loose bodies inside your elbow joint using tiny instruments in the arthroscope. 

4. Close the wound with adhesive strips and apply a bandage.

Elbow arthrolysis takes around 1 hour. You’ll recover in our outpatient clinic until the anaesthetic has worn off. You’ll be able to go home once it has.

Elbow arthrolysis is a safe and effective procedure. Like all other minimally invasive keyhole procedures, risks may include:

• small scars 

• temporary pain and stiffness 

• abnormal bleeding

• infection

• damage to the surrounding nerves or blood vessels

Your surgeon will tailor your preparation instructions to you. They’ll give you every opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like. They’ll also let you know how long you need to fast (avoid eating or drinking) before your procedure. 

If you smoke, you’ll be asked to stop, as it increases the risk of chest or wound infection. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications in the run-up to your procedure. You may be given physiotherapy exercises to do beforehand. This can strengthen the muscles surrounding your elbow and aid your recovery.

You’ll need to arrange for someone to take you home afterwards, as you won’t be able to drive. 

It can take several weeks or months to recover and get full mobility and strength back after elbow arthrolysis. 

Your surgeon will give you clear instructions to follow once you leave our outpatient clinic. These are likely to include:

Rest

You’ll need to rest your elbow for some time after the procedure. This will reduce your pain levels and swelling. Your surgeon will let you know how long to avoid movement for and may suggest wearing a sling to keep your arm in position. 

Physiotherapy

You’ll need to undergo physiotherapy as you recover. Your surgeon will advise you on when this should start. It involves doing exercises that strengthen your arm muscles and boost the range of motion in your elbow.

Pain relief

To manage any pain after the procedure, you’ll usually be able to take over-the-counter medication. Your surgeon may also suggest prescription pain medication. They’ll tell you how much of each medicine to take each day.

If you have another health condition

Certain conditions, such as haemophilia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other autoimmune diseases, can make recovery more difficult. If you have one of these conditions, your recovery and aftercare instructions may differ.

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book an elbow arthrolysis, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopaedic surgeon following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.