Elbow replacement surgery removes damaged areas of the elbow joint and replaces them with parts made of metal and plastic. These are known as implants. This surgery also is called elbow arthroplasty.
Three bones meet in the elbow. The upper arm bone, called the humerus, connects like a loose hinge to the larger of the two forearm bones, called the ulna. The two forearm bones, the radius and the ulna, work together to allow the forearm to rotate.
Traditionally, elbow replacement surgery has had a higher rate of complications than surgeries to replace hip or knee joints. But recent advances in surgical technique and implant design have improved the success rate of elbow replacements.
Your elbow can be damaged by conditions ranging from arthritis to fractures and other injuries. In many cases, the damage from arthritis and fractures can be surgically repaired. However, if the damage is too serious, replacement is usually better.
Pain and loss of motion are the most common reasons people choose to have elbow replacement surgery.
Conditions that can damage the joint include:
In some cases, you may need a replacement of just one portion of the joint. For example, if only the head of one of your forearm bones, the radius, is damaged, it can be replaced with an artificial radial head.
If the entire joint needs to be replaced, the ends of the bones that come together in the elbow are reshaped. Bones are hard tubes that contain a soft center. The long, slender ends of the artificial parts are inserted into the softer central part of the bones. The parts are usually attached with bone cement.
If the surrounding ligaments aren't strong enough to hold the joint together by themselves, the surgeon may use a linking cap. This connects the artificial implants so they can't come apart.
Although rare, it's possible that elbow replacement surgery won't lessen the pain or make it go away completely. The surgery may not fully restore the movement or strength of the joint. Some people may need another surgery.
Potential complications of elbow replacement surgery include:
Before surgery is scheduled, you meet with your surgeon. This visit most often includes:
Some questions you may want to ask include:
Other members of the healthcare team check your readiness for surgery. They also ask about your medical history and medicines you take.
Follow your surgeon's directions about bathing, eating and taking medicines the day before and the day of surgery.
A care team member talks with you about how you'll be sedated for surgery. Most people get medicine that puts them into a deep sleep, called general anesthesia, and a nerve block. The nerve block numbs your arm so that pain control can continue after you wake up from general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
After surgery, you rest in a recovery area for a short time. How long you stay in the hospital after surgery depends on your individual needs. Many people can go home the same day.
You may need to wear a splint or a sling for a few days or weeks after surgery. You may also need a temporary device called a drain to avoid pooling of fluids at the elbow. Your healthcare team explains how to do exercises to help your recovery.
After elbow replacement, most people have less pain than they did before surgery. Many people have no pain. Most people also have improved range of motion and strength.
