Table 2.

Overview of portal placement for each compartment and considerations during placement for arthroscopic arthrolysis.

	Compartment
	Posterior	Radiocapitallar	Anterior
Portal placement
Arthroscope	Straight posterior	Posterolateral	Anteromedial
Working portal	Posterolateral	Elbow soft spot	Anterolateral
Access locations
1	3 cm proximal to the olecranon tip	Radial side of the olecranon tip	Anterior and proximal to the medial epicondyle
2	Radial side of the olecranon tip	Elbow soft spot	Anterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle
Considerations
1	Avoiding triceps central band	Slightly extend elbow during insertion to prevent subcutaneous placement	Palpate medial intermuscular septum confirming proper placement
2		Blade insertion at 45° angle to posterior olecranon plane; penetrate capsule using curved clamp, confirmed by popping sensation and fluid outflow	Skin-only incision to prevent MABCN damage; insert trocar toward joint, while slightly lifting the forearm, while maintaining contact with the anterior humerus surface
3			Insert needle from the lateral side under arthroscopic view
4			Caution at anterior capsule near the radial head to avoid PIN damage
Visualization
1	Fossa olecrani	Posterolateral compartment	Coronoid fossa
2	Posterolateral space	Radial head	Capitellum
3	Olecranon tip	Proximal radioulnar joint	Radial head
4		Ulnohumeral joint	Anterior capsule
5			Ulnar joint side
6			Coronoid process
Goals
1	Fibrous tissue debridement for improving view and elbow extension	Loose body removal	Synovectomy from lateral portal
2	Osteophytectomy reducing posterior impingement and improving extension	Removal of fibrous tissue	Removal of osteophytes from coronoid process
3			Loose body removal
4			Blunt release of anterior capsule

MABCN, medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve; PIN, posterior interosseous nerve.