Elbow replacement

Alternative Names: Total elbow arthroplasty; Endoprosthetic elbow replacement

Elbow replacement is surgery to replace the bones of the elbow joint with artificial joint parts (prosthetics).

Description of Procedure

The elbow joint connects two bones:

• The humerus in the upper arm
• The ulna in the lower arm

The artificial elbow joint has two stems made of high-quality metal. A metal and plastic hinge joins the stems together and allows the artificial joint to bend. Artificial joints come in different sizes to fit different size people.

You may receive general anesthesia before surgery. This means you will be asleep and pain-free during surgery. Some patient may receive regional anesthesia instead. This means, you will be awake, but your arm will be numb so that you will not feel pain. If you receive regional anesthesia, you will also be given medicine to help you relax during the operation.

Your surgeon will make an surgical cut on your arm to reveal your elbow joint. Usually this is made in the back of the upper and lower arm. The surgen then removes damaged tissue and parts of the arm bones that make up the elbow joint.

A drill is used to make a hole in the center of the two arm bones. The end of the artifical elbow joint stems are placed into each bone. The two stems are attached together with a hinge.

The wound is closed with stitches, and a bandaged is applied. Your arm may be placed in a splint to keep it stable.

Risks of Elbow replacement

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Blood clot
• Infection

Additional risks of elbow replacement surgery are:

• Allergic reaction to the artificial joint
• Blood vessel damage during surgery
• Bone break during surgery
• Dislocation of the artificial joint
• Loosening of the artificial joint over time
• Nerve damage during surgery

Elbow prosthesis

Review Date: 7/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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