Abstract des Autors

Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy of the elbow has come a long way from its early beginnings. It has now become an accepted treatment modality for numerous conditions about the elbow. It is most successful for removing loose bodies and improving range of motion in selected cases of synovitis and posterior impingement. As with any operative procedure, careful preoperative planning, which includes a detailed history and physical examination, and careful portal placement are necessary to ensure a successful procedure. The surgeon's experience and skill level should determine the complexity of the procedures that are attempted. Elbow arthroscopy does not make open operative procedures obsolete, but it serves as an adjunct in the successful operative treatment of common and not so common conditions of the elbow. Verf.-Referat