What is Elbow Arthritis and Total Elbow Replacement Surgery?
According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is one of the most prevalent health problems in the United States. It is the second leading cause of work disability, after heart disease, and accounts for more than a half million hospitalizations annually. There are many different kinds of arthritis, several of which can affect the elbow joint. Among these are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. A variety of treatments are available for arthritis, ranging from exercise and medication to surgery. In the most severe cases, surgery may be warranted to reduce the effects of arthritis and return function to the joint. Total joint replacement surgery is one surgical option available to these patients. It is designed to replace diseased portions of bone in the joint with a combination of plastic and metal components, therefore reducing the pain and swelling associated with the friction in the joint. Arthritis is a term that refers to over 100 different specific related dis
