Elbow replacement surgery
Arthroplasty refers to the procedure of replacing a joint with artificial parts made of metal and plastic, to enable smooth and easy functioning when the joint has been severely affected by a traumatic injury or systemic degenerative condition causing the patient intense pain and difficulty in moving the joint to perform activities.
It is taken up by the elbow surgeon as the last re course when all other techniques have failed to repair the damage.
Elbow, a hinge joint formed by three bones i.e. humerus, ulna and the radius is important for bending, rotating and straightening the forearm. Surrounded by a network of muscles, ligaments and tendons that holds the joint together, it is covered by an articular cartilage and synovial membrane that protect the bones and assist in their easyflexibility.
Conditions for replacement:
Several conditions that cause irreparable damage to the elbow joint coercing the elbow surgeon to consider replacement surgery are:
| Treatment of severe Rheumatoid Arthritis | Treatment of Osteoarthritis |
| Treatment of severe fractures | Treatment of instability |
| Treatment of post traumatic Arthritis |
Pre-Surgery:
After the decision of replacement surgery is taken by the elbow surgeon, stress is laid upon running a few physical and medical tests to rule out any possibility of doubt regarding the patient’s general health. Cases with a chronic medical past are prepared for the surgery after advisory from their specialist doctors.
An in depth discussion regarding intake of medications, allergies to certain compositions, reaction to anesthesia, information regarding the detailed procedure with its complications is also intimated to the patient by the elbow surgeon to ease his anxiety and prepare him for it.
Surgery:
After adequate anesthesia a cut at the back of the elbow joint is made by the elbow surgeon to move aside the muscles and reach the bone to remove the scar tissue and bone spurs. The artificial implants made of metal and plastic are then placed in the bone and cemented in by bone cement, thereafter connecting it with a hinge pin.
The incision is then closed and bandaged to enable healing.
Post-Surgery:
The patient has to stay at the hospital for two to four days after the surgery with a close watch over by the surgeon and the medical staff. With antibiotics given to reduce the pain, the patient is made comfortable after the surgery. With a schedule of follow up visit and prescription of medications that would have to be in taken the patient is released after the elbow surgeon is convinced that the patient is fit enough to go back home.
Complications:
The complications that can occur after the surgery or any time after the replacement are well informed to the patient before the decision for the replacement is taken. These complications vary from infection in the wound to its poor healing. There is also a probability that the nearby nerves may be injured during the surgery and the most complicated is the loosening or wearing of the metal implants that require revision surgery.
Rehabilitation:
A well formulated rehabilitation program is an essential prerequisite for the success of elbow replacement. Exercises of hand and wrist that control swelling and reduce stiffness are monitored by an able physiotherapist and taught to the patient. Some elbow range gentle exercises are also introduced in the therapy to enable quick healing of the elbow incisions.
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Outcome:
Patients who undergo elbow replacement surgery have an improved life after it, as mobility and strength is restored and the pain becomes minimal. Daily activities can be easily performed by the patient but for some time even simple activities like picking a coffee mug will seem tasking and some heavy strenuous activities are best avoided as they can loosen the metal implant and affect the replaced part.
Benefits:
Elbow replacement surgery is extremely beneficial and patients are delighted with the rejuvenated and improved life they get after it. The elbow replacement reduces joint pain substantially and provides an improved range of motion to the joint. Though they are lengthy with probable complications but they have significant power to give back functioning to the joint that has been damaged and almost lost.
More about Elbow Surgeon:
Treatment of elbow requires skill and deftness to perform surgical techniques on a joint that is complex yet delicate. Dr. Gupta is one of the best surgeons in India for any condition that degrades the upper extremity limbs or joints. As an MBBS and MS in Orthopedics from All India Institute of Medical Sciences Dr. Gupta has an experience of more than 25 years and more than 6000 surgeries to validate it. He has treated patients from AIIMS, Fortis, Medanta and at present Max Healthcare.
Max Healthcare, the best hospital in Delhi NCR is devoted to its mission of providing easy accessibility to cost effective, high quality, technologically advanced deliverance of techniques by an ingenious specialist of upper extremity, Dr. Gupta, backed by an efficient team.
Dr. Gupta is an acclaimed and prestigious persona in all national and international medical seminars for his lectures and articles. His knowledge runs deep and he is the first surgeon of upper extremity to introduce and deliver various revolutionary international techniques.
With a strive to serve selflessly he has joined hands with Max Hospitals and is all set to ignite fire to each debilitating condition of the upper extremity.