What happens during elbow replacement surgery?
On the day of surgery, an intravenous tube will be inserted into your unaffected arm to administer necessary medications and fluids during surgery. You will then be taken to the operating room and given anesthesia. After the anesthesia takes effect, your elbow will be scrubbed and sterilized with special solution. The procedure is performed through an incision over the elbow that will expose the joint. Special, precision guides and instruments will be used to cut the ends of the humerus (upper arm bone) and ulna (forearm bone), and prepare the bone to accept the implant. The implants are then inserted and fixated in place with a special kind of opoxy cement for bones. The two parts of the hinge are then brought together and secured with a pin. When the surgeon is satisfied with the fit and function, the incision will be closed and covered with dressings. The surgery usually takes one to three hours, although this depends on the severity of the arthritis in your elbow. A sterile bandage
