Aim: To determine the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery, without excision of the radial head, in elbows with end stage arthritis of the radiocapitellar joint.

Methods: Twenty-three elbows with bone-on-bone degeneration of the radio-capitellar joint, but with only minor degeneration of the humeroulnar joint, had arthroscopic surgery, with synovectomy, removal of loose bodies and excision of impinging tissues and bone. The average age was 51 years (range: 16 years to 59 years). Evaluation was by a questionnaire and the follow-up was after a minimum of one year.

Results: The average follow up was 41 months (range 12 months to 83 months). Twenty-one of 22 patients reported improvements. Six patients were pain free, 12 had mild residual pain and six had significant, continuing pain. Only three patients reported residual lateral elbow pain. The average visual analogue pain score was 3.4. According to the Mayo elbow function score, there were eight excellent, seven good, six fair, and three poor outcomes.

Conclusions: Satisfactory improvements in symptoms and function were obtained in arthritic elbows with arthroscopic surgery, even in the presence of severe radiocapitellar arthritis.