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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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  • deb66157
    deb66157 jaw1204

    Posted

    I had elbow replacement on 1/17/17. It is painful and awkward. Did you have to keep your arm straight?
    • jaw1204
      jaw1204 deb66157

      Posted

      Hi

      No. I was encouraged to bend it and use it with the weight restrictions. No pain no akward feeling. I was surprised.

      Why do you have to keep it sttraight?

        

    • Tini1115
      Tini1115 deb66157

      Posted

      Hi I just had my elbow done on the 9th of January.

      Still swelling in my arm and tingling in the punky and ring finger. Unable to extend straight as yet, my doctor did not cut any of my muscles but left intact. Have you had much progress?

      I start physio tomorrow.

    • pknaturgrl
      pknaturgrl deb66157

      Posted

      I had my arm straight in a splint for 2 weeks. It hurt when it would swell, so elevation on several pillows , ice and some pain meds (Ibuprofen) did the trick for me.  Keep the arm above your heart most of the time and it will greatly decrease your pain.This to shall pass-it gets better!
    • pknaturgrl
      pknaturgrl Tini1115

      Posted

      Hi, I also had a lot of swelling in the arm the first few weeks and had it in a splint that I kept up above my heart/shoulder height almost all the time and used ice regularly. The ulnar nerve feeds the pinky and ring fingers and it is moved during the surgery, so some people have numbness and tingling of those fingers for awhile. Hopefully, that will go away as you heal! Kepp moving your fingers with your arm elevated, that will bring the swelling down and improve circulation, which could help the tingling. I injured my other wrist from using it all the time, and had numbness and tingling in my fingers on that hand for awhile. It went away as the wrist got better and swelling went down. I did not have that symptom in my operated arm, luckioly, though my doctor told me I could expect it as most people get that after this surgery. Good luck and I hope your healing goes quickly for you!
    • pknaturgrl
      pknaturgrl Tini1115

      Posted

      Like my doctor said, there is a lot of differences of opinion on how to treat elbow replacements, as this is kind of a newer surgery. Before my surgery, my arm was in contracture to 90 degrees, and I think that is why I had the extension splint for the first few weeks, and I still am to use one at night if my arm is losing extension again (It did that for awhile  from 4-12 weeks post op). Now it is so much better and I am allowed to strengthewn it, so I have full extention and flexion, and don't need the splint as much. I am still using my stability braces when I am doing heavier chores like cooking/stirring, or bringing in wood, because my elbow has some side to side looseness/floppiness that I do not have enough strength yet to hold in place. I am now at 3 1/2 months post op and was allowed to start strengthening at 3 months. This period or no weight lifting was to allow the glue, bone, and prosthetic to grow together before being challenged by weight lifting.

  • Momsusan
    Momsusan jaw1204

    Posted

    I had my elbow replacement in October 2015 following a failed repair of a fractured humerus and chipped elbow hinge (olecranon process). Did well after surgery, but had pain and swelling in triceps, and ulnar nerve pain down arm into pinky and ring finger. Chemo has damaged the nerves of my inner ears and I fall alot. Three falls on tile floors where I tried to avoid hitting elbow but missed! Surgeon thought I was exaggerating my pain so I switched to another surgeon. He did an ulnar nerve transposition in October 2016. Found the nerve was totally compressed and shriveled. Advised it would take about 6 to 10 months to regain full function (1/2 inch/month). He was on target for that but I have had a severe pain in my elbow since the first surgery and it clicks and locks! I have to use my other arm to release it! Saw surgeon about 3 weeks ago and he said I needed a new replacement but couldn't have it because my bones are too soft. Had fluid removed from the bursa before I saw him. Says I have bursitis, replacement malfunction and ulnar nerve is now rubbing against the replacement. Advised me to not use my arm, hold it by my side and on my lap as much as possible. My forearm is swollen, triceps is very painful and replacement continues to lock.

    Has anyone experienced anything like this? If I don't use my arm, I'm afraid I'll lose all function. Surgeon said he would revise ulnar nerve when I couldn't take the pain any more! Any advice is appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Susan

    • jaw1204
      jaw1204 Momsusan

      Posted

      Sounds as though you are having a very difficult time of it. I am sorry I dont have any problems at with mine, although I do worry about falling and knocking my elbow. I hope you are able to get a better situation soon.  
    • pknaturgrl
      pknaturgrl Momsusan

      Posted

      I am sorry you are having these problems! I did not have this, but I knew it was one of the risks of the surgery. I hope you can get arevision of some kind to remain functional with that arm. Until then, just do the best you can with it!
  • cindy80039
    cindy80039 jaw1204

    Posted

    Thanks for your info.  I'm having surgery in July 2017.  I hope I have your success.

  • carol99249
    carol99249 jaw1204

    Posted

    Too long of a story but in November of 2016 I had my right elbow replaced by a premier orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. They first had me go through a battery of tests to be sure there was no infection in the elbow, not pleasant but at that point I would have done anything. After surgery He had me in a straight arm cast for 10 days partly to protect the incision. I then started using their arm brace and very soft therapy for a couple of months.  I had a "repair" surgery in January of 2016, not at the Mayo, and had screws, plates and a lot of pain. After my surgery in November I have no pain but continue to have ulna nerve damage in my ring and little finger. He told me repair occurs approximately 1" per month and that my repair could take up to 2 years. He told me about the 5 lb restriction and I have just learned to live with it. I hate that I had to have it done, I hate the nerve damage but my arm feels so much better. That being said, It still does not feel normal at all. overall an excellent experience at the Mayo. 

    • jaw1204
      jaw1204 carol99249

      Posted

      Hi. Sounds all a very long winded process. My replacement was very simple and required no cast and no repairs and thankfully no pain. It is 3 years since my operation and so far all very good. In your situation I think there must have been complications which required all the repairs and the need for a cast. I hope it all works out.
    • carol99249
      carol99249 jaw1204

      Posted

      Thank you I feel really good about it and after reading some of these comments, I feel very fortunate. 
  • ronniec79368
    ronniec79368 jaw1204

    Posted

    hi had my right elbow replaced in 2012 it has done me very well 7 months ago i found a bump on it come to find out its infected so we are trying to save it not a fun thing to do we have found no reason for this to happen i also have both knees replaced and a anckle replaced but the elbow is the one being bad so watch your replacements if it feels pain  for no reason or u find a bump get it checked i just thought u all needed to know this ronnie
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