Handheld Osteotomes Facilitate Arthroscopic Elbow Osteophyte Removal

Arthroscopic elbow surgery is a challenging procedure in part because of the limited intra-articular volume of the joint, the congruence of the elbow articulation, and the close proximity of the neurovascular structures. Arthritic conditions that result in the development of bony prominences and osteophytes are usually amenable to arthroscopic management and include diagnoses such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and valgus extension overload syndrome. Safe and efficient removal of these osteophytes can be problematic, however, because of technical difficulties often encountered while using arthroscopic burrs and shavers as well as the risks of inadvertent, iatrogenic injury to adjacent articular cartilage and other structures. A valuable and effective technique using small handheld osteotomes to facilitate the arthroscopic removal of intra-articular osteophytes and other bony prominences is described and shown.