Elbow Arthroscopy, Supine Position: Setup and Portals

Abstract

Since Michael Burman’s¹ original report on elbow arthroscopy in 1932, the technique of elbow arthroscopy has progressively evolved into a reliable tool for diagnostic and therapeutic treatment of pathology of the elbow. Concomitant with this evolution, a variety of patient positions have been used and described. These include the prone position,^2,3 the “classic” supine position with traction,⁴ the modified supine position, and the lateral decubitus position.⁵ The most commonly used positions are the prone position and the classic supine position. This chapter discusses the details involving arthroscopy of the elbow using either the classic supine or the modified supine positions.