[Arthroscopy of the elbow].

Elbow arthroscopy has become an indispensable method of surgical care of injuries and their consequences and damages that affect the elbow. The advantages of elbow arthroscopy in comparison to classical open surgery are multiple. Primarily, arthroscopy allows an excellent view of intra-articular structures and thus a detailed overview of the entire joint which enables us to perform complete surgery without opening the joint. Furthermore, morbidity is significantly smaller, rehabilitation is faster, and return to daily activities is also faster. Basic requirements for successful application of elbow arthroscopy are careful planning of the procedure, very good knowledge of regional anatomy of the elbow, strictly following the rules of performing the procedure, good technique and an experienced surgeon. Pathologies that can currently be addressed arthroscopically include osteochondritis dissecans of elbow, lateral epicondylitis, synovial plica syndrome, elbow osteoarthritis, elbow contracture, as well as the diseases where the synovectomy is needed, such as rheumatoid arthritis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial chondromatosis and hemophiliac synovitis.