What happens during total elbow replacement surgery?
You may receive general anesthesia before this surgery. This means you will be unconscious and unable to feel pain. Or, you may have a spinal or epidural anesthesia. In this kind of anesthesia, medicine is put into your back to make you numb below your waist. After you receive anesthesia, your surgeon will make an incision (cut) over your elbow to open it up. • Your surgeon will remove the sections of the humerus and the ulna that make up your elbow joint. Any damaged tissue will also be removed. • Then your surgeon will drill out part of the center of the humerus and ulna. An end of the artificial joint stems will be inserted into each bone. • Usually, bone cement is used to hold the stems in place. • Next, your surgeon will attach the 2 stems together with the hinge. • Your incision will be closed with sutures (stitches). It will be bandaged, and your arm may be placed in a splint to keep it stable. Usually, artificial elbows have metal parts. Now, though, some surgeons are using som
