Category Archives: Elbow

The bones in a joint are covered with a tough, lubricating tissue called cartilage to help provide smooth, pain-free motion to the joint. As the layer of cartilage wears away, bone begins to rub against bone, causing the irritation, swelling, stiffness, and discomfort commonly associated with arthritis.

Total elbow replacement involves removing the diseased bone and cartilage and resurfacing it with orthopedic implants. The implants are designed to create a new, smoothly functioning joint that prevents painful bone-on-bone contact.

A total joint implant’s longevity will vary from patient to patient. All implants have a limited life expectancy depending on an individual’s age, weight, activity level, and medical condition. It is important to remember that an implant is a medical device that is subject to wear, which may lead to mechanical failure. Following all of your surgeon’s recommendations after surgery may enhance longevity, there is no guarantee that your particular implant will last for any specific length of time.

Since implants are mechanical devices, they are subject to conditions that can lead to mechanical failure. The most common reason for implant failure in elbow replacements is implant loosening or implant wear that leads to loosening. Implant wear particles can react with the bone, causing thinning of the bone that can lead to implant loosening. In most cases, failed implants can be revised successfully to provide good results.

Exercise or physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the affected joint(s), possibly providing relief from pain while improving mobility and function. Medical management, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections may assist in reducing painful joint inflammation and restoring function.

Your surgeon will evaluate your health history, perform a physical examination, and take x-rays to decide if you are a candidate for this surgery. You must then decide if your discomfort, pain or stiffness, and overall loss of quality of life justify undergoing surgery. Generally, there is no harm in waiting to have surgery if conservative, non-surgical treatments are effective.

Age is not a problem if you are in reasonably good health and have the desire to continue living a productive, active life. You may ask to see your personal physician for an opinion about your general health and readiness for surgery.

Operation- approximately 1 to 2 hours. Hospitalization- usually 1 to 3 days. Rehabilitation-usually 3 to 4 months of regular exercise at home. This will vary with each patient and with each surgeon.

After surgery, patients usually gain additional range of motion previously lost to the diseased joint. It is important to remember that the soft tissues play an important role in elbow movement. Damaged or unrepairable soft tissues in the elbow will have an effect on unrestricted movement of the elbow after surgery. Proper preoperative and postoperative physical therapy will also affect the desired surgical outcome. It is important to talk with your physician prior to surgery so he or she can evaluate your condition and give you a better understanding of what you can expect after the surgical experience.

The incision is approximately 5 to 7 inches long, across the back or side of the elbow to gain access to the joint.

Yes, you may have some numbness on the outside of the scar. The area around the scar may feel warm. You may also notice some clicking when you move your elbow as a result of the artificial surfaces coming together.

While uncommon, complications can occur during and after surgery. Some complications include infection, blood clots, implant breakage, malalignment, and premature wear. Although implant surgery is extremely successful in most cases, some patients still experience stiffness and pain. No implant will last forever and factors such as the patient’s post-surgical activities and weight can affect longevity. Be sure to discuss these and other risks with your surgeon. There are many things that your surgeon may do to minimize the potential for complications. Your surgeon may have you see a medical physician before surgery to obtain tests. You may also need to have your dental work up to date and may be shown how to prepare your home to avoid falls.

Proper preparation and a great attitude are the best ways to accomplish a rapid recovery from joint replacement. With the help of a physical therapist, get yourself as physically fit as you can before surgery. Proper nutrition and optimal medical condition can help avoid complications. See your physician prior to surgery to ensure your blood pressure, heart, and lungs are in good shape. Be prepared to continue with your exercise program after surgery.

Exercise is necessary for proper healing. The arm is typically immobilized for comfort in a long-arm dressing and a protective splint for the first 3 to 5 days. Range of motion exercises may be started after the dressing and splint are removed, allowing for some return to light activities of daily living. At 10 to 14 days, the sutures are removed. Strengthening usually begins 6 weeks after surgery. A regular exercise program at home to promote strengthening and mobility will continue up to 12 months following surgery. It is important to follow your surgeon’s prescribed recovery outline. Do not attempt exercises that are not prescribed by your surgeon, and do not attempt to alter your exercise schedule without contacting your surgeon.

Although elbow replacement is designed to restore motion and decrease pain, it does not return your elbow to “normal.” Like any mechanical device, it can wear out with use. Activities like heavy lifting or manual labor can cause early wear and failure of the elbow implant. Many activities should not begin until the soft tissues around the elbow heal, which can take 3 to 6 weeks. All postoperative activities should be cleared with your surgeon.

Patients with total elbow replacement typically require several weeks before returning to any type of lifting or repetitive movement activities. Driving can normally be resumed in 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, but only if your doctor indicates and you are not taking any pain medication. Talk to your doctor before participating in an activity that may place excess stress or movement on your elbow. Consult with your surgeon or therapist for advice on acceptable activities.

The surgeon will set a follow-up schedule for the first year after surgery to evaluate your progress. Usually these follow-ups occur three, six and nine months after the surgery. Annual visits may be required thereafter. Complications can occur with implants, so seeing the surgeon when you notice a change in symptoms can assist in evaluating any changes that may occur with your new joint.

Joint Replacement Surgery Hospital India offers highest quality bone and joint health care with attentiveness, care and compassion to meet the needs of the patients and their loved ones. The medical team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons who are familiar with all the aspects of the musculoskeletal system. Our hospital uses the most advanced technologies available for the orthopaedic procedures and has a lower complication rate.

Joint Replacement Surgery Hospital India offers highest quality bone and joint health care with attentiveness, care and compassion to meet the needs of the patients and their loved ones. The medical team includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons who are familiar with all the aspects of the musculoskeletal system. Our hospital uses the most advanced technologies available for the orthopaedic procedures and has a lower complication rate.

If you or someone you love have the symptoms of this condition but are not a tennis player, that is not necessarily a reason to dismiss the possibility of tennis elbow. The condition gets its name because the muscle group involved, the wrist extensors, are at work during the common tennis motions of cocking the wrist back and stabilizing it while gripping a racquet. However, other sports or even jobs which require repetitive motions in the wrist and arm may lead to this condition. Common careers affected by this condition include plumbers, painters, carpenters, and butchers.

There are specific areas and instances of pain which are most commonly associated with tennis elbow. The pain will often radiate from the outside of the elbow, into the forearm and wrist. The pain and weakness resulting from this condition may make it difficult to shake hands, turn a doorknob, or even hold a full cup of coffee. If you continue to experience pain and tenderness matching this condition, and it is not resolved with rest or ice, it may be time to contact a doctor.

When you visit your doctor, she or he will typically begin with a physical exam, asking you to move your arm and wrist in various ways. Your doctor will also ask questions about your medical and activity history. In many cases, this combination is enough to offer a diagnosis of tennis elbow. However, in certain cases, an X-ray may be used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

For over 90% of patients, non-operative treatment is successful to address the pain and weakness of tennis elbow. These options typically include a combination of the following:

• Lifestyle modification (including technique adjustments and rest)
• Changing Stroke Mechanics and Racquet (in cases of regular tennis players)
• Anti-Inflammatory Medications (these can be used to control pain and inflammation)
• Cortisone Injections (these can reduce pain in the case that more conservative methods fail)
• Elbow Braces (these can help to reduce the use of the injured muscles during healing)
• Exercise (strengthening the related muscles can help to prevent re-injury)

In most cases, some combination of the above treatment options, guided by a sports medicine physician, can be effective to treat tennis elbow.

In very rare cases, however, a surgical treatment approach may be necessary. Lateral epicondylitis surgery involves the removal of the damaged tendon and repair of the remaining tendon to the bone. This surgical procedure is usually successful, although it is rarely needed.

If you or someone you love is suffering from this condition, turn to the elbow specialists and sports medicine physicians at Joint Replacement Surgery Hospital India. Our team of orthopaedic experts has the experience, as well as the access to the latest techniques and technology, to provide you with the highest level of care.

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