Damaged elbow joints can be surgically removed and replaced with metal or plastic components in an elbow replacement procedure. The medical term for this is implants. Elbow arthroplasty is another name for this procedure.
Elbows are a triple joint. A loose hinge joins the humerus, the upper arm bone, to the ulna, the bigger of the two forearm bones. The ulna and radius, the forearm’s two main bones, collaborate to provide rotational mobility to the forearm.
Complications from elbow replacement surgery have historically been more common than from hip or knee replacement operations. Elbow replacement success rates have been steadily rising due to innovations in surgical technique and implant design.
What Are the Risks of Elbow Replacement Surgery?
Arthritis, fractures, and other injuries are among the many possible causes of elbow pain. Arthritis and fractures can have surgical solutions that provide permanent relief. However, replacement is typically superior when the damage is too severe.
Most patients seek elbow replacement surgery to alleviate pain and restore range of motion.
The joint can be damaged by conditions such as:
- Wide range of arthritis.
- Bone breaks.
- Bone tumors
Procedures for replacing the elbow
A partial joint replacement may be necessary in some situations. To illustrate the point, an artificial radial head can be used to replace the injured radial head of a single forearm bone.
Elbow joint replacement surgery involves reshaping the ends of the bones that meet in the elbow. One way to think about bones is as hard tubes with a soft center. Inserted into the softer middle portion of the bones are the long, thin ends of the prosthetic components. Bone cement is typically used to join the pieces.
A connecting cap may be used by the surgeon if the surrounding ligaments aren’t strong enough to sustain the joint on their own. Because of this, the artificial implants will stay place.
What are elbow replacement risks?
Like all operations, elbow replacement surgery may cause complications like,
- Experiencing bleeding.
- Surgery-related nerve damage.
- The prosthetic joint is moving out of place.
- The disease.
- Implant issues, such as artificial joint wear and loosening.
- Reactions to anesthesia.
How do you get ready?
You will meet with your surgeon before the scheduled procedure. During this visit, you may expect to see:
- Reviewing symptoms.
- A checkup.
- Imaging scans, including computed tomography (CT) and X-rays, taken of your elbow.
Here are a few questions that might be useful to ask:
- Which implants do you recommend?
- How can I comfort myself after surgery?
- How will I get physical therapy?
- Is surgery going to limit my activities?
- For how long will I need help at home?
Before surgery, other members of your healthcare team will assess your readiness. Your medical history and current medication list are also subjects of inquiry.
What should you expect?
Before the surgery
Before and after surgery, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding what to eat and drink and how much medication to take.
All during the surgery
A member of your care team will go over the anesthetic options with you before surgery. A nerve block and medication that puts the patient into a deep sleep (general anesthesia) are the usual methods of pain relief during surgery. After you’ve woken up from general anesthesia, the nerve block will keep the discomfort away by numbing your arm. A typical operation lasts between one and two hours.
After the surgery
A healing space is provided for your use after surgery. Depending on your specific requirements, the length of time you spend in the hospital following surgery may differ. On the same day, many people can go home.
For the first several days or weeks after surgery, you might have to wear a sling. To further prevent fluid accumulation at the elbow, a temporary device known as a drain may be necessary. In order to aid in your recovery, your healthcare team will instruct you on specific activities.
What is the future for people who have surgery to replace their elbow?
Approximately three months are required for recovery after elbow replacement surgery. Many individuals experience decreased pain in their elbows, along with improved mobility and function, following the healing process that follows elbow replacement surgery.
After the completion of an elbow replacement, your physician may advise you to stay away from engaging in activities such as heavy lifting and contact sports.
By exercising caution, you can lessen your chance of causing additional injury to either your elbow or the implant. After undergoing elbow replacement surgery, it is important for patients to stay away from lifting anything that weighs more than seven pounds.
When to call my doctor?
After having elbow replacement surgery, you should get in touch with your physician if you have any of the following symptoms:
- At the site of the incision, bleeding, redness, warmth, or drainage may be noted.
- There is a sensation of dislocation or looseness in the new joint.
- A fever which is higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit and lacks any additional symptoms
How long will my new joint last?
It is highly probable that the replacement of your elbow will continue to function well for a period of ten years. In the future, it might become less secure or wear out. It may subsequently be possible to undergo revision surgery, which is a second joint replacement, however this type of surgery is typically not as helpful in relieving symptoms.
Revision surgical procedures
During a revision procedure, the original components will be removed, along with any cement that may have been utilized in the entire process. As a result of the removal of additional bone during the operation, the humerus is more probable to fracture. This is because the shaft of the humerus will have typically become thinner by the time revision surgery is required.
When compared to the initial surgery, revision surgery is typically simpler to do. This is due to the fact that the initial surgery will have taken less bone than the subsequent procedure. It is common practice to replace the component that is responsible for generating the new bone surface with a stemmed component in this scenario.
Wrapping It Up
The majority of patients report reduced discomfort after elbow replacement surgery compared to their pre-op levels. Not everyone experiences pain. Strength and mobility are two other areas where most people report improvements.
