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Total Elbow Replacement - I have had this done. Anyone else?

Posted , 57 users are following.

jaw1204
jaw1204

In June 2014 I had my left elbow replaced.  At the present time this is 9 weeks ago. I have had good progress but concerned about doing anything that will make it come loose.

Has anyone else had the same operation and how has it been and has there been any problem with the joint coming loose? 

1 like, 264 replies

264 Replies

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  • nigel25300
    nigel25300 jaw1204

    Posted

    I have rheumatoid arthritis which has severely affected both elbows. I put off having the operation 5 months ago, [see my post], then dislocated my left elbow so I have had surgery 6 weeks ago. I was in hospital overnight, went back the following day to have the half cast removed. I have full finger mobility, no elbow pain but still some stiffness in the ligaments at the back of the elbow when the surgeon made the incision. I can shave, brush teeth etc. and am doing physio. I expect to eventually get my arm fully straight and to almost fully bend it. I'm so pleased that I'm having the right elbow done in May. I was off Abatacept for 11 weeks, 8 weeks before the op.,  but have now been back on it again for 5 and feeling much better. I accept the necessity of not overstressing the new joint.    

  • pknaturgrl
    pknaturgrl jaw1204

    Posted

    I had my elbow replaced in October of 2016. I have not had trouble with the joint coming out (It is well cemented into the bones, but now at 1 and 1/2 years later,the joint is starting to squeak with great regularity! It started when I banged it on a picnic table a year ago and then I noticed it now and then after doing a "pushing off" movement, like in getting up from a chair. Now for no reason, it squeaks regularly , even with a brace on! Does any one else have this symptom? I was told by another surgeon many people need revisions @ 2 years post op because the pin wears out between the ulnar and humerus replacement pieces. Has anyone had that problem and how did it turn out for you? I am scared about this new development!

    Patrice

    • carol99249
      carol99249 pknaturgrl

      Posted

      I had a full elbow replacement in November 2016 by a surgeon at the Mayo in Minnesota. I do not hear anything and all seems to be good. I am 65 yrs old and am very careful with the elbow. I don’t push off chairs, etc with it, or carry heavy stuff. I basically baby it. That being said, I feel fortunate to be able to be fully functional after what I went through to get here. My dr has never mentioned revisions or squeaks, but I do plan on asking him. Good luck to you and let us know what you find out. 
    • pknaturgrl
      pknaturgrl

      Posted

      More on this squeaking and also now "locking" in certain positions. My doctor says I need a revision surgery because squeaking means bushing damage and the components are rubbing metal on metal. It is locking in certain positions too now, which he says is probably from loose polyethylene debris from the worn bushings. Most of the TEA (total elbow arthroplasty) components have cobalt chromium in them, which I am allergic to, so I had a all titanium component and pin put in, which is not quite as hard  (but less toxic than the cobalt chromium) Apparently there is a 25 % rate of revisions, especially in the younger active patients and in those who had the TEA because of post traumatic injuries/arthritis (I did). From the beginning of my TEA journey, my arm had excessive varus valgus (side to side) movement of over 25 % and the norm is up to 7 % on a constrained or semi-constrained elbow joint. No one knows why. However, it is now more than that; another indication of a worn bushing. So he is looking for parts now and found there aren't any through the manufacturer (Stryker) because its a discontinued model. I need an all titanium model due to my allergies. Does anyone know of any other ones of this type? Has anyone else out there had a revision and how did that go? If we can't find the parts to replace this broken prosthesis, I have three less good options: 1) keep the one I have and deal with metallosis that may be developing from the rubbing metal on metal, 2) take out the broken prosthesis and have no elbow, so continuous bracing is needed and I will not be able to use my arm much.3) he would take out the broken prosthesis and fuse my elbow so I would not be able to bend my elbow ever again, but could use the arm from the shoulder a little. Anyone had this? How did it go?

      Needless to say, I don't like any of these options, and I am scared that this was destroyed so early in my recovery (18 months post-op). What if that happens again? I have babied it to the best of my ability and stuck to the weight restrictions for the most part, (rarely forgetting and using my arm for normal things without thinking because of it being my dominant arm and has well worn habits of use).

      From the rest of you that have had elbow replacements already, any comments on my concerns would be much appreciated. I am a little freaked out by this rapid change from normal recovery to needing a revision and feeling sad/scared about it! Thanks!

    • jaw1204
      jaw1204 pknaturgrl

      Posted

      That doesn’t sound good at all. From your options it there one for a complete replacement again of everything? I am 4 years into my replacement and I do treat it a bit like a baby most of the time although sometimes I forget. I am planning a check up with the surgeon this year just as a precaution. Surely they must have spare parts somewhere even if the model is discontinued. 
    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 pknaturgrl

      Posted

      I am about 3 weeks post op from my revision. I had split my ulna lenghtwise. I have titanium because my dr personally designed my original elbow back in the early 90’s. With this recent surgery he had to take out the short rod and replace it with a longer one. He wired my bone back into its original position and put the longer rod into a donor bone hoping it will heal with my original. We were lucky the company still carried a long rid that would fit. My main problem is my bones are really thin. The surgery went well and i had more pain in my wrist from them holding it than from thw new elbow. Unfortunately the resident damaged the nerve so im having alot of nerve pain. The dr said it should heal within a month. Therapy is trying to straighten my arm a little more and i have a brace i have to wear off and on during the day. 
  • audrey90481
    audrey90481 jaw1204

    Posted

    I had my elbow replacement in the early 90’s because I shattered it in a fall. I have had RA fo 48 yrs. my bones are so thin the dr had to specially design my elbow replacement. It has worked fine for all these years. I could bend it, rotate it just couldn’t completely straighten it because it has a built in catch. The pain and therapy wasn’t bad at all after. Probably because I was in so much pain before. Last week I hurt my arm. I saw the dr yesterday and discovered my ulna broke in half ( lengthwise) exposing my titanium rod. So Friday he has to take the old rod of not the elbow part itself and replace it with a longer rod and wire the bone that broke off back to the rest of the ulna and hope it heals back together again. I live in Florida  But come to back to Chicago for Dr. Mass at the university of Chicago to do it. He’s the only one I trust. He is fantastic and one of the best arm dr.’s in the country. He did both my elbow, should and knuckle (Swanson implants) replacements and I’ve had no problems at all

    • cathy1958
      cathy1958 audrey90481

      Posted

      Well wishes on your surgery this Friday. I live in Vero Beach, FL and will need to go somewhere else when I get to the stage where my right elbow needs replaced. Please post to let us know how you do.

      Cathy

  • beveykay
    beveykay jaw1204

    Posted

    I am having elbow replacement tomorrow. I am a 68 year old female who has been quite active: bicycling, kayak paddling, paddle boarding, weight lifting, and yoga and gym exercise. I am so worried about the weight restrictions and undoing the operation. Of course I won't be lifting weights after this or doing downward dog, etc., but what can I do? I've had 4 earlier operations on this fractured elbow in order to delay the inevitable, a total elbow replacement. The pain post op has been horrific. This time I will get an anesthesia ball attached to a vein above my clavicle for pain control. Has anyone else had this? I am looking forward to getting out of pain. I too had an infection. The new invention of an elbow hinge had to be taken out and I had to have an external fixator, 2 different times. Would love to hear some success stories. Bev

    • animiki
      animiki beveykay

      Posted

      hello, yes i had right elbow joint replacement w Dr Tom  Lawrence UK, fantastic result, I do take care of it and do not use for lifting i.e. carrying grocery bags, opening heavy doors, you can adapt. To be pain free is such a gift and I can do normal activity, like get dressed, wash my hair, cook without pain.  Somewhere in this forum I posted a detailed story of my surgery.  My recovery was greatly speeded up by my alliance with a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine doctor) and we focused on reducing inflammation and pain and enhancing the immune system starting 10 days after surgery. My recovery was swift and even the doctor was impressed with the speed of recovery. So cupping and acupuncture were part of the programme, Explore it. Inflamation caused pain, also used a lot of numeric in the diet to help reduce inflammation Best of luck,,
    • animiki
      animiki

      Posted

      Hello All,

      Happy Holidays. the right elbow replacement i had 2 years ago...all still good knock on wood. But I am very careful and no lifting and carrying grocery bags. If you have a replacement joint, treat it carefully and kindly. It is a total life changing miracle. Tom Lawrence is a top doctor for this procedure in the UK (coventry or rugby).

      Still follow up with TCM acupuncture to monitor and manage inflamation and lymphatic flow around the elbow. and lots of tumeric in the diet.

      best wishes to all

  • beveykay
    beveykay jaw1204

    Posted

    Hi, I'm Bev. I broke my elbow when I fell down steps in 2015. Since then I've had 4 operations, trying to avoid the inevitable: an elbow replacement. Post-operative pain after each procedure has been horrific. My operation is tomorrow. An anesthesiologist will place a catheter in a vein above my clavicle that is attached to a ball containing anesthesia so that I get continuous pain relief. Has anyone else had this type of pain control? 

  • audrey90481
    audrey90481 jaw1204

    Posted

    I have had an elbow replacement in both elbows. My bones are so small in diameter that I have a pediatric elbow on the right and my dr had to custom design my elbow on the left. I shattered my elbow in a fall which is why I ended up with a total elbow replacement! Both of my surgeries were a success I can’t address the pain question because I was in so much pain before u could have hit me with a sledgehammer and I wouldn’t have felt it. Also because I have an extremely high pain tolerance. I followed the weight instructions in the beginning. I can carry my own groceries and lift a 12 pack of Coke. That said I am now following them ie I carry groceries but not anything heavier. I recently lifted a box too heavy and my ulna split in half all the way up my arm exposing my titanium rod. I am recovering from having to have the rod taken out and replaced with a longer rod and heavy wire put in to wire my new donor bone with the new rod in it and my shredded bone all wired around what was left of my ulna bone. I can feel the wire and clamps right underneath the skin. The swelling has gone down and the pain comes and goes. It’s been a month since this latest surgery. Oh the clavicle injection for anesthesia with the bag u carry after surgery for me didn’t work very well and within a day no matter how they secure it it always falls out! I Tried it several times.  Feel free to contact me with any questions. I’ve had almost all my joints replaced. 
    • jeannie55
      jeannie55 audrey90481

      Posted

      Hi Audrey, I have had 8 surgeries on my left arm. My wonderful Beast of a dog knocked me down the basement stairs in December of 2016 and I broke my shoulder and demolished my elbow. I have had 8 surgeries on my left arm. I am hoping to have an elbow replacement next week on my left arm. They are telling me it is my only chance that my bones are not very good. You speak of a donor how bad was that surgery if this surgery doesn't work for me?

    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 jeannie55

      Posted

      You won’t even know it’s there. I had to have the donor bone because mine was shredded and there was no place to put the rod. My bones don’t break they shatter. So I didn’t have an option but it was no worse than any other surgery. I have used donor tissue and ligaments before.  My recovery was the same as before with the exception that the resident snipped my nerve causing not only no feeling in half my hand but my hand was weaker than a newborns and my hand wanted to close up.  It’s better now but my little finger is still numb. I have had multiple surgeries on my arm as well. Ranging from moving blocked nerves to having a plate put in my wrist to stabilize it, shoulder replacement which was the worst surgery I’ve ever had (I stopped counting at 75) and  I’ve had to have titanium knuckles put in as mine were totally destroyed. The shoulder they had to go in several times to “tweak” it. They want me to have a wrist replacement but I’m not to sure how good they are. I’ve heard mostly bad thing. Good luck! I’m having work done on my right elbow in Sept to tighten the muscle. 
    • cathy1958
      cathy1958 audrey90481

      Posted

      Can I ask where you had your surgeries. Are u located in the US
    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 cathy1958

      Posted

      I have had all my surgeries done at the University of Chicago. Dr. Daniel Mass is my “arm dr.”  He’s one of the best in the country. No matter where I live I fly in to see him.   
    • cathy1958
      cathy1958 audrey90481

      Posted

      Thank you. I need to have my right elbow replaced and not my Dr or others in Florida have any clue where to recommend where to go, looks like I am on my own. I am aware this is not a surgery that is often done so I am trying to research the best Place/Dr to travel to.
    • carol99249
      carol99249 cathy1958

      Posted

      I had my right elbow replacement done by dr  O’Driscoll at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. He was amazing and he used his own patented parts. I had my surgery in November of 2016 and have had no problems related to the surgery. I had aggressive tests a week before the surgery to be sure I did not have an infection in my elbow and it paid off. I highly recommend him. Good luck!!
    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 cathy1958

      Posted

      I also live in Florida  I still travel to the University of Chicago for op my surgeries especially anything to do with my arms. I have a lot of problems with anesthesia and they know me there. I have blocks whenever possible. I hope this helps you. Dr Mass is a perfectionist which is what you want in a surgeon. He did my first surgery in the early 90’s. 
    • jeannie55
      jeannie55 audrey90481

      Posted

      I will find out today when they will do my surgery if they will do my surgery it depends on my blood work. I am told I have one shot at doing this because I have bad bones, and a higher risk of infection
    • jeannie55
      jeannie55 carol99249

      Posted

      What kind of patented Parts did he use? It's not the standard elbow replacement? There are items that the FDA took off the market I'm told. Could you reference them to me?

      Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 carol99249

      Posted

      That sounds fantastic. The university of Chicago won’t use my dr.’s patented parts because they r more expensive even though they work better. I’ve never had an infection with any of my “parts” surgeries. U can never bet the Mayo Clinic. Glad it all worked out good for u. 
    • cathy1958
      cathy1958 carol99249

      Posted

      Thank you so much for the info. No matter what I will have to travel for the surgery. I am going to call and see about arranging a consult.
    • carol99249
      carol99249 jeannie55

      Posted

      Not sure, I never paid attention to that. But if you google him at the Mayo Clinic, you will see what he used. I was referred to another orthopedic dr at the Mayo and he called me from a conference in Boston and said that after they reviewed my medical records Dr. O’Driscoll and his parts were the best for me. I did use one pain block and then they managed my pain wonderfully. Surgery was at 9 am and I was discharged at 10 am the next day. 
    • audrey90481
      audrey90481 jeannie55

      Posted

      He has his own  complete elbow replacement and Swanson implants(knuckles)  that he designed and patented. They work better but they cost more so the hospital wouldn’t approve him using  them. He did end up designed mine with the factory helping him because my bones were too thin to hold even a pediatric implant. 

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