Details of Elbow Replacement

This is a complicated procedure in which an extensively damaged elbow is replaced. Pain is the most common reason people opt for this surgery.

• Stiffness
• Pain
• Difficulty moving the joint
• Bone spurs
• Bone grating or scraping
• Joint locking
• Joint instability
• Joint swelling

1. Physical examination
2. X-rays

Surgical options include:

Synovectomy: A surgeon removes damaged pieces of the synovium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds each joint. Arthroscopy: A surgeon uses a small instrument to remove bone fragments, damaged cartilage, and bone spurs from the joint. Osteotomy: A surgeon removes sections of the bone to ease symptoms and reduce the bone-on-bone contact.

Arthroplasty: The surgeon replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one.