Total Elbow Joint Replacement

What is Elbow Replacement surgery?

In this replacement surgery, the injured or damaged parts of the shoulder are removed. Then, they are replaced with some artificial components which are known as Prosthesis.

Depending on the condition, two options are available for this surgery. Ball replacement- which is the head of the humerus bone or replacement of the socket (glenoid) and both the balls.

What are the Types of Elbow Replacement surgery?

Anatomical Total Shoulder Replacement Surgery

This is one of the most common surgeries for shoulder replacement. In this procedure, a plastic lining is attached to the socket for enhancing the movement.

The top of the arm bone is removed and replaced with a metal stem having a ball at the end. 

This treatment is advisable when the patient is suffering from Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis in the shoulder.

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Rotator Cuff, a group of tendons and muscles is responsible for holding the shoulder joint, allowing arm and shoulder movements.

Injury or damage of the rotator cuff may result in pain, weakness, and limited movement of the shoulder. This can generally be repaired by various methods.

For severe tendon damage reverse shoulder replacement surgery is performed. This treatment is especially effective if the joint is affected due to arthritis. It reduces pain and improves the joint's function.

This treatment is also known as arthroplasty. The technical definition says, it is the procedure to mould joints surgically.

In this treatment, the normal ball-and-socket structure of the shoulder is switched. An artificial metal ball is attached to your shoulder blade in place of a socket.

And an artificial new socket is attached to the top of your upper arm bone in place of the ball. The new ball and socket each have a large deltoid muscle covering the shoulder which helps in arm movement.

How to prepare for Elbow Replacement surgery?

A pre-medical examination is required based on which further decisions are made. For this, you will be asked to visit the clinic before a week of your surgery.

This is necessary to decide whether you are fit for surgery and anaesthesia. 

Smoking must be avoided to reduce the risks of wound or chest infection.

Some fasting instructions given by the surgeons are to be followed before the surgery.

After all the pre-treatment examinations, the surgeon will discuss all the complications, side effects, and risks associated with the surgery.

What is the procedure of Elbow Replacement surgery?

In this procedure, an incision is made above your shoulder joint to open it.

In the next stage, the top of your upper arm bone is removed. The new metal head and the stem are fused with the help of special cement.

Then, a new socket having a stem is placed. After which the incisions are closed with stitches.

After the completion of the surgery process, dressing is required.  

Surgeons may infuse a tube in the treated area to drain the fluid which is built in the joint. It's removed when you no longer require it.

What is the Post-Surgery Care to be taken?

• The stitches are eliminated after a week of the surgery.

• To prevent stiffness in the treated area, regular exercises are recommended.

• Physiotherapy at the facility is suggested for several weeks after the surgery. Also, home exercises are provided to strengthen your shoulder muscles and improve motion.

• To reduce the pain, cold therapy with ice bags or cryo cuffs should be used.

• As the incisions can get wet while showering, bathing should be avoided for 3 weeks.

• Driving should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks after taking this treatment. 

• Regular follow-ups with your doctors are highly recommended.

• Wound care is a must, as you will have stitches beneath your skin.