Elbow Replacement

The procedure itself should take approximately 2 hours.

There are many benefits to be derived from elbow joint replacement surgery: It can revitalize smooth, stabilizing joint surfaces after they have been damaged by arthritis. This can lead to much improved elbow comfort and function, letting you sleep in peace and go and about your daily activities as normal.

An ideal candidate would have an elbow joint which has been severely damaged by either Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, severely broken bone, severely damaged bone, tumor or a sub-standard result from a previous elbow surgery. The patient should be in overall good health, agrees to accept the risks involved and clearly understands the procedure and recovery routine.

Immediately after surgery, your surgeon will give you a very strong pain killer such as morphine, and you will be shifted to a recovery room where a nurse will monitor your blood pressure, respiration rate, and pulse until the anesthetic wears off.  You will stay in the hospital for around 2-4 days before you are allowed home. On returning home, you will still be on pain-killers and have to start physical therapy, starting with gentle flexing exercises, and these will continue for a about 6 weeks.
 
During this time, avoid all activities such as driving, shopping, meal preparation, and household chores. As for bathing, try to find a helper to assist you. Full recovery can take up to a year and even when it has healed, do not ever lift anything heavier than five pounds.

As this is major surgery and you want to achieve the desired objective, it is essential to take your time and find yourself a fully trained, experienced surgeon in this specific field.

When you have found your expert surgeon, you will have to have a thorough physical examination to make sure that you are fit enough to undergo such major surgery. Your surgeon will do a blood test, take x-rays and do an electrocardiogram. You will have to inform him about what medication you are on and what allergies you suffer from. He may advise you to quit some medication and also cigarette smoking. You will have to plan in advance for your recovery as there will be many normal activities that you won’t be able to perform after the procedure, like shopping and driving, so make sure that you explain the surgery to friends and family.

For major surgery like this, general anesthesia is the norm.

Before making up your mind on whether or not you wish to undergo this major surgery, it is advised to contemplate the side-effects and possible complications and risks that include:
• Infection
• Blood clotting
• Bleeding
• Nerve damage
• Blood vessel damage
• Bone break 
• Dislocation of the joint
• Stiffness
• Pain
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia