Total Elbow Replacement

Total Elbow Replacement

If a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or an injury has harmed your elbow, your doctor may recommend surgery to replace the joint, so you have less pain and can move better. During elbow replacement, a surgeon replaces your elbow with an artificial joint made from two implants that attach to the bones in your arm. A metal and plastic hinge joins the implants together. What Are the Risks? The most common complications are:

• Infection

• Injury to nerves and blood vessels

• Allergic reaction to the artificial joint

• Broken bone

• Stiffness or instability of the joint

• Loosening or wearing of the artificial parts

• Weakness or failure in the tendons of your arm

• Pain

There are risks because of the anesthesia, such as an allergic reaction to those medicines and breathing problems. As with any surgery, bleeding and blood clots are possible, too.