Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor puts a lighted tube with a tiny camera and surgical tools through small incisions. The camera is called an arthroscope, or scope.
This surgery can treat several problems.
You probably will go home on the day of the surgery or the next day. Your arm may be in a sling. You may need to do physical rehabilitation (rehab) exercises for several weeks.
You may need about 6 to 8 weeks to recover. But if you had treatment for a stiff elbow, you may need to wear a brace and do rehab exercises for 3 to 6 months. You may have to limit your activity until your elbow strength and movement improve.
If you have a desk job, you may be able to go back to work a few days after the surgery. If you lift things or do physical labor at work, it may be 1 to 2 months before you can go back.
After surgery and rehab, you will probably have less pain and more movement in your elbow. Some people have to avoid lifting heavy objects.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
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Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor put a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions in your elbow.
You will feel tired for several days. Your elbow will be swollen. And you may notice that your skin is a different color near the cuts (incisions). Your hand and arm may also be swollen. This is normal and will start to go away in a few days. Keeping your arm higher than your heart will help the swelling and pain.
You may need about 6 to 8 weeks to recover. You may have to limit your activity until your elbow strength and movement are back to normal. You may also be in a physical rehabilitation (rehab) program.
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