Why Does My Elbow Still Hurt After Arthroscopy?

Common Causes of Post- Elbow Arthroscopy Discomfort

Small incisions do not mean minimal recovery; the joint undergoes a major healing process. Your body needs time to recover from the work that was done inside the joint. Here are some common reasons why pain may continue for a while and what is generally considered normal during recovery:

1. The Normal Inflammatory Response

Even when the incisions are small, the internal treatment performed during the surgery causes the body to start its natural healing response. This process is called inflammation, and it is a normal part of recovery. Here’s what may happen during the surgery:

• Fluid in the Joint: The surgeon will inject the elbow joint with a sterile saline solution during surgery, which allows the surgeon to see the inside of the joint. The solution injected into the tissues after the surgical procedure can cause swelling or a tight feeling in the area of the elbow for a few days.
• Tissue Healing: Your body treats the surgical area like a controlled injury. As the tissues repair themselves, you may experience mild redness or a dull aching feeling. These are often associated with the normal repair and restoration of the damaged tissues by the body.

2. Post-Operative Stiffness (Contracture)

The elbow joint is known for becoming stiff after surgery. In fact, it is considered one of the most sensitive joints when it comes to post-surgical movement and flexibility. Because the joint is small and complex, stiffness can develop quickly during the healing phase.

If the elbow is not moved enough after surgery, scar tissue can begin to form and limit movement. On the other hand, if the process involves extensive repairs, stiffness is also felt as the tissues heal. This is usually felt as a sharp or tight pain when you attempt to fully extend your arm or elbow.

3. Nerve Irritation and Sensitivity

In this area, there are several nerves such as the ulnar, radial, and median nerves. These nerves are just next to the joint and, therefore, may become irritated during and/or after surgery.

During the surgery, the patient is required to position the arm in such a way that the surgeon can access the joint. This positioning can occasionally put temporary pressure or stretch on nearby nerves.

When the nerve is irritated, you may feel sensations of quick, electric-like sensations, tingling, numbness, or a burning feeling that moves from the elbow area and goes down into the forearm or fingers. These sensations may be uncomfortable. However, they are normally temporary and may improve gradually over a period of weeks as the nerves settle.

4. Doing Too Much Activity Too Soon

Another major reason why the level of pain may increase in the days and weeks that follow arthroscopy is the fact that the patient may be getting back to normal too soon. At the beginning of the second week or the first week after the surgery, the patient may start feeling better and may think that the elbow has healed.

For this reason, they may be getting back to normal and lifting heavy objects or engaging in physical activity in the gym too soon. However, the fact is that the tissues in the elbow are still in the healing process, and getting back to it too soon may cause irritation in the tissues, leading to an increase in the level of pain.