Elbow Replacement

Elbow replacement is indicated for patients with: 

• Severe arthritis that does not improve with other treatments
• Complex fractures that cannot be repaired with standard surgery
• Elbow instability (when the joint becomes loose or unstable)
• Elbow bone tumour affecting the joint

Elbow replacement surgery involves the following steps:

• Usually, general anaesthesia is administered for the surgery, sometimes with a regional block for pain control.
• A long incision is made at the back of the elbow joint to access the joint.
• The damaged parts of the bones (distal humerus and proximal ulna) are removed.
• Artificial metal implants are fixed to the bone cement and stabilised with surrounding ligaments.
• A pressure dressing is applied to protect the wound.
   

Generally, the surgery lasts between 2 and 3 hours, depending on the complexity of the case.

Preparation for the procedure involves the following steps: 

• A full medical evaluation is done before surgery to assess overall health
• The anaesthetist assesses fitness for anaesthesia.
• Patients may be asked to stop certain medications and fast for a few hours before the procedure.

Although elbow replacement is generally safe, possible risks include:

• Early or late infection around the joint
• Complications during wound healing
• Nerve injury near the elbow
• Loosening or wearing the implant over time

• Patients are encouraged to begin gentle joint movement as healing progress.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation are necessary to restore functionality.
• While the recovery period varies, for most patients, there is noticeablepain relief and a marked improvement in mobility over time.