What to Expect During Elbow Replacement Surgery

The thought of having an elbow replacement can feel overwhelming. However, there have been many advancements in anesthesia as well as surgical techniques that have made going through the procedure easier than in the past with increased attention on post-operative pain management.

Elbow replacement surgery simply replaces the parts of your elbow that are worn out and uneven with new smooth surfaces. These damaged parts of your elbow are replaced with metal and medical-grade plastic.

With any surgical procedure, there are associated risks. Click here to learn more. Be sure to discuss both the surgical and post-surgical risks, as well as how to take care of your new elbow joint (including activity restrictions post-surgery), with your surgeon.

The length of surgery can vary, but on average a elbow replacement takes 1-3 hours. Below are some general guidelines; however, you should discuss specifics of your individual case with your surgeon.  

1.  Generally, you won’t be able to eat or drink after midnight in preparation for surgery. It’s also essential to discuss any specific medications you should or shouldn’t take prior to surgery with your care team and at what point you should stop taking said medications.

2.   You will likely need to arrive a few hours before surgery for the check-in process. This will include filling out paperwork, signing forms, changing into a gown, and any other preparation your care team recommends.

3.   An intravenous tube (IV) is inserted in your arm to administer fluids and medication.

4.   There are several options available for anesthesia. You will discuss these with your anesthesia team. The course of treatment will be based on your medical history, your preferences, and the preferences of the anesthesia team and surgeon.

5.   After arriving at the operating room and given anesthesia, your elbow will be cleaned with a sterile solution and sterile drapes will be applied to your arm.

6.   An incision is made so that your surgeon can see the humerus and ulna bones. Specialized instruments are used to carefully remove the damaged joint surfaces and prepare them to accept the implants.

7.   One implant is used in the ulna bone and another in the humerus bone. They are fixed into place using a medical-grade cement. The two implants are brought together to form a hinge, which is then secured with a locking pin.

8.   When the surgeon is satisfied with the fit and function, the surgical site is closed in layers. A sterile dressing is applied and a sling is typically placed.

9.   You’re then taken to a recovery room, where you’ll be carefully monitored. The majority of patients spend 1 or 2 hours in the recovery room; however, this varies based on how quickly you recover from anesthesia.

10.  Pain is typical after elbow replacement surgery. However, the anesthesia team has a wide variety of agents to help with your discomfort in the recovery area. You should discuss with your surgeon their plan for post-operative pain management as well as expectations. Some surgeons use a one-shot, pain block in the joint once surgery is complete, before you wake up. Others may use a catheter. Some prefer not to use a block or shot at all. This can also vary depending on your health and other conditions. Make sure you understand your surgeon’s plans for pain management before your surgery.

11.  After you are fully awake, you will go to your hospital room and in most cases you will be up and moving that day. Many patients are even able to go home that same day. Some patients don’t even need to go to a hospital room and can go straight home.

While every surgery will be tailored to your needs by the surgeon, this is a general framework of events surrounding a standard procedure.  

10. After you are fully awake, you will go to your hospital room and in most cases you will be up and moving that day. Many patients are even able to go home that same day

While every surgery will be tailored to your needs by the surgeon, this is a general framework of events surrounding a standard procedure.