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

Hi. It is about the surgery itself. The replacement joint is held in place with surgical cement. The weight restriction is to reduce the risk that the joint will become loose. If this happens it is back into surgery. It is suspected that carrying something heavier will cause a level of vibration to the elbow. It is also a precaution as it is not fully proven.

Jerry I was told that not as much research and development have gone into the making elbow replacements because it is not a lucrative market like the hip and knee replacement market. I know when I tell people I am going to get an elbow replacement most people say they have never heard of such a thing. The surgeon I will have doing the surgery said there were 3367 knees and hips done last year and only 10 elbow replacements! I live in Western Canada in a city of 1.3 million.

My surgeon told me I would only be able to lift 5 pounds for the rest of my life. I can handle that but I want to be able to play golf again.

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Yes you can use your arm for heavier jobs if you want to replace it every few years, according to a local surgeon I went to for a second opinion. He is now replacing many of those first elbows done in the fpast 2-3 years from people who felt good, so they just started using it normally. This is only a hinge joint with one pin holding it together and glued in on a dependent joint. Therefore lifting weight , banging things with it, will cause the replacement to fail earlier. The best results for long term health are those who learn to "baby" the joint/arm and follow the restrictions. It is hard, I know. I am trying to retrain myself to use my good arm more, so I do not overdo my new elbow and have to go thru a nother surgery in a few years. I am also trying to be grateful for full mobility without pain again, which is better than what I had before. Its a gift to be freed of the pain and contractures!

Where did you have your surgery done? I live in South Florida and was told to go to the Hospital for Specialty Surgeries in Manhattan, NY. Not many of these surgeries are performed and it's scary especially after reading some of the experiences people have had.

I ahve asked my DR about this differenc in weight restrictions repeatedly. He said it is not proven yet what force wears a joint out quicker, but it is better to err on the side of caution than push it. SOme of the early elbow replacements are needing revisions at 2-3 years out when people do not follow the limits. I was told it would be better to do less and have the joint last 10-20 years than wear it out in 2 years by pushing it with the weight limits.I 'd like to hear from others with elbow replacemnts more than a few years out what your experience has been with the weight issue. Thanks!

I had the surgery at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center with Dr. Eric Benson. I think large Universities have more cutting edge information and techniques. SO you might start searching your own area for a University Hopsital and find out the quality of their orthopedic departments and if they have surgeons qualified in elbow replacements. The Mayo  CLinic is good also in MN or AZ.. Good luck!

I'm happy to hear you had a good experience at UNM. I injured my elbow in Jan. 2016 when I fell over my dog. I decided against elbow surgery and worked with a personal trainer at a health club for six months. I played 18 holes of golf last week and played well without pain. I ached the next day but it was bearable. Since I don't have a complete elbow I'm going to limit my golf to once a week. I'm 85 yrs old. I pray you will be happy with your new elbow.

I did have elbow surgery to put my elbow back together and had seven pins and a plate in my arm for six months. After reading about the limitations of an elbow replacement I decided not to have that done as I was told I would never be able to play golf again. I don't have a complete elbow but, since I'm not in pain, it's better than an artificial elbow.

There is now a new model that doesn’t require any revisions. Not all surgeons are using it yet but ask about the Nexus ones.

Thanks for this info. How are these different from previous models? Do you know what materials they are made of?

 

Hi. I had my right radial head replaced in September 2017 (I'm in the uk) due to a fall . I shattered it. I had a replacement head that is screwed into the ulnar and cement around it. iv been told by 2 orthopedic surgeons in 2 different counties and one from the mayo clinic the same advice. 5lb the rest of my life otherwise the joint will wear cause pain and have to be removed early.

the elbow has no muscle around it unlike hips and knees.

please follow the advice . after all they know what they are talking about.

You have to look after it for the surgery to last and stay stable for a long time. The potential loosening is the biggest issue. 3 or 4 months does not make it any less of an issue. I have mine checked every 12 months for any sign of loosening.

It is no where near as coomon as hip or knee and there is a reluctance to do the operation if still in 50's as the expected life of the surgery is not well know beyond about 10 years.

Hello, I wonder if someone can answer my shallow question? I will be having my elbow replacement surgery on December 14th and I want to know if I will be able to put on make-up and do

my hair? My apologies for the fragmented query, my phone froze and I was unable to proceed!

Hi - If you mean after your operation - then if you have succes like mine then you will be able to , and use knife and fork etc etc. It is the weight restriction that you will be restricted by. I drive  I swim, I type etc      

Thank you for the information, yes I was referring to post surgery. The only concern I have is with my dexterity, I love to quilt, embroidere and decorate cakes, cookies and cupcakes. I always recover from surgery well

I have had a hip replacement and they did a bone graft to my pelvis at the same time. I had my knee done 6 months ago and it went very well, I was back to my old self in less than a month. How long were you in the hospital after your surgery?

I was in hospital for 3 nights. I think if you have a good surgeon you should be ok. The only thing I somethimes have if I goto adjust my glasses, for example, if I am not concentrating then my hand just misses -it slightly flops - and I then adjust again ... and concentrate. None of that activity requires heavy lifting and that is really the only restraint that I have found.   

Thank you, you are very encouraging! Do you live in the US or the UK? The surgeon that I have been referred to is super nice and his specialty is elbows and wrists, he has a wonderful reputation. I am feeling good about that and with the information you have passed along l feel good about everything! I don't know anyone who has had this surgery.

Maureen,

  I think you probably figured out by now that you can do a lot of stuff post-op, as you recover more. You should be able to do all the hair/makeup stuff, but just not the weight lifting over 2-5   pounds. I am 8 weeks out from my elbow replacement and I can now do my hair, brush teeth, and wash face again with two hands. Its an amazing blessing to be more functional again!