Key facts about elbow replacement

Written by: Mr David Thyagarajan
Published:
Edited by: Aoife Maguire

When is elbow replacement surgery indicated in cases of arthritis?

Elbow replacement surgery can sometimes be used as treatment for arthritis.

 

It may be necessary as treatment for arthritis when pain and disability is severe. It also may be necessary if other non-surgical treatments measures have been tried and have not worked.

 

 

What does elbow replacement surgery entail?

Elbow replacement surgery is an open surgical procedure which is done under general anaesthesia. This surgery is also referred to as elbow arthroplasty.

 

The procedure involves removing arthritis bone and replacing it with metal prosthesis, which links to both the upper arm and forearm bones.

 

Is elbow joint replacement painful? What should patients expect from the recovery period?

Pain levels due to elbow joint replacement are comparable to the pain felt as a result of most joint replacements.

 

Regional nerve blocks can be given during surgery to help with pain control in the first 24 hours. After this, strong pain killers will be required for a few days.

 

Can an elbow replacement restore full function to the joint?

Elbow replacement will provide good pain relief. The range of movement achieved after replacement is variable.

 

The range of movement will depend on the pre-existing stiffness and soft tissue function of the patient.

 

What are the success rates of elbow replacement surgery?

Elbow replacement will provide good pain relief and improved function in most cases both in the short and long term, provided that the elbow joint is not used for strenuous activities or lifting heavy objects

 

What are the risks involved in elbow replacement surgery?

Like any surgery, elbow replacement surgery involves risks. These risks are similar to risks posed by any major joint replacement operation. Any risks posed will be discussed in detail when you meet your surgeon.

 

How do I prepare for elbow replacement surgery?

Preparation for elbow replacement surgery is similar to preparation for any major joint replacement operation. Again, this will be discussed in detail when you meet your surgeon.

 

 

By Mr David Thyagarajan
Orthopaedic surgery

Mr David Thyagarajan is a highly respected consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in Sheffield who specialises in shoulder and elbow surgery. He is renowned for his expertise in shoulder and elbow pain, shoulder injection and shoulder arthroscopy as well as elbow and shoulder joint replacement, including both primary and secondary revision surgery.

After qualifying in medicine in 1994, Mr Thyagarajan undertook his higher surgical training in trauma and orthopaedic surgery in Bristol and he gained a specialist fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons within the trauma and orthopaedics section. He was awarded a highly sought-after advanced shoulder and elbow fellowship at Nottingham Shoulder and Elbow Unit where he gained invaluable experience in treating a high volume of complex cases. Additionally, Mr Thyagarajan travelled to centres for excellence in shoulder and elbow surgery in Houston and San Antonio, Texas, USA to acquire detailed knowledge and expert skill in performing innovative surgical techniques from renowned leaders in the field of orthopaedics.

With his wide-ranging expertise in shoulder and elbow surgery, Mr Thyagarajan’s areas of interest include sports injuries, instability, degenerative disease and related joint replacement, including highly complex cases. He sees private patients at the Circle Health Group Thornbury Hospital in Sheffield.

In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Mr Thyagarajan remains actively involved in research in his key areas of interest and is a leading name in the field of trauma and orthopaedics. He has published numerous academic papers which appear in esteemed peer-reviewed journals and also acts as a reviewer for The Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. He frequently speaks at national and international conferences and has shared his research at key meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the British Shoulder and Elbow Society. Mr Thyagarajan was also an invited speaker at the 2016 International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery in South Korea, sharing his expertise in arthritis and arthroplasty symposium sessions.

Mr Thyagarajan is also an esteemed educator and is a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Sheffield. He regularly teaches students and surgical trainees in orthopaedics and also delivers key training for fellow medical professionals. Additionally, he is a faculty member on shoulder and elbow advanced surgical techniques courses and supervises specialist trainees in orthopaedics and shoulder and elbow fellows within his role at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. He is a member of a number of prominent professional bodies, including the British Orthopaedic Association, British Shoulder and Elbow Society and the European Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.

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