5 Orthopedic Conditions That Require Elbow Surgery
The elbow is a complicated joint. In fact, it is one of the most complicated joints in the entire body. The elbow also plays an extremely important role in our day-to-day activities; so, as you can expect, problems with this joint can greatly disrupt our functioning. Naturally, elbow problems tend to underscore just how important the elbow can be. Tasks that were easy before, such as working or driving, become nearly impossible to those with elbow irritation. Aside from being one of the most complicated joints in the body, the elbow is also one of the largest joints as well. Specifically, the elbow connects the radius and ulna to the humerus, which are fairly large bones on their own. Furthermore, the elbow connects these parts through a system of ligaments and muscles. Precisely because of the elbow’s size, complexity, and location, it can alter our range of motion immensely. Not only is the elbow very large and complicated, but it is also one of the most frequently used and abused joints in the human body. Inherently, this means that the elbow is prone to injuries, such as fractures and hyperextension. For example, there are many orthopedic conditions associated with the elbow, such as bursitis and osteoarthritis. NJ Spine and Ortho can help you understand your symptoms and seek treatment. Arthroscopic Surgery For Elbow Bursitis Elbow bursitis is a painful condition that involves inflammation of the bursae. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near the body’s joints. When these sacs become inflamed, doctors call the condition bursitis. Bursitis is not necessarily exclusive to the elbow joint. It may also occur in the knee, shoulder, hip, heel, or base of the big toe. Usually, bursitis predominantly affects the elbow, shoulder, and hip, as these are the joints that undergo the greatest strain. Not all cases of elbow bursitis require surgery. In fact, most of the time, these inflamed sacs will get better on their own. That being said, there are more severe instances in which a doctor must surgically drain the inflamed sac. In the most severe cases, it may even be necessary to remove the affected bursa altogether. This, however, is exceptionally rare. If conservative treatments have not alleviated the patient’s symptoms, your doctor will perform surgery. Usually, bursitis surgery is performed using a small incision with a minimally invasive probe known as an arthroscope. An arthroscope is a pencil-sized device with a small lens that the surgeon inserts through an incision to receive 3D guidance. This allows the surgeon to make repairs and corrections to the joint as necessary. Another hidden benefit of elbow arthroscopy is that this surgery is minimally invasive. This means that the procedure boasts a faster recovery time than traditional open surgeries. Minimally Invasive Surgery For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) RA is one of the most common types of elbow arthritis, but it is fundamentally different than most types of arthritis. Conventionally, arthritis affects the joints over time through age-related wear