Types of Elbow Surgery

The complexity of the elbow and the need for long-term treatment are some of the reasons elbow surgery can be challenging. You can perform only specific surgical procedures on patients with severe joint pain who cannot tolerate other treatments.

Synovectomy

The membrane that covers the joint’s surface, known as the synovium, is removed during this procedure. In a healthy elbow, it can produce lubricating fluid.

However, in people with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation causes the synovium to become inflamed, which eventually leads to cartilage erosion and pain.

Arthroscopic Debridement

This procedure will remove loose cartilage and bone fragments from the joint. It can also remove the upper end of the radius bone, which is a part of the forearm.

Surgeons can do it for patients with primary and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The recovery time for this procedure is usually between 12 and 24 weeks.

Elbow Interpositional Arthroplasty

It will relieve pain when the bones’ surfaces rub together—a small section of the patient’s Achilles tendon will be between the covers. The recovery time for this procedure is usually around four months.

Total Elbow Arthroplasty or Replacement

This approach replaces damaged parts of the elbow using artificial components. A linked prosthesis consists of two metal stems, one in the ulna and one in the humeral.

The hinges connecting these components comprise cobalt-chromium. An unlinked prosthesis relies on the surrounding tissue for stability.

There are many ways to treat an elbow condition to give patients with long-lasting relief, restore their overall hand function, and improve the appearance of theirelbow and hands. It is best to choose a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon for the hand and elbow. Dr. Gregory Kolovich is an award-winning hand doctor based in Savannah, Georgia. He is the cofounder and CMO of Oxos Medical, a developer of orthopedic imaging devices, and also serves as the President of the Georgia Society for Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Kolovichshares his expertise, mechanical skills, and knowledge in helping people who suffer from hand and elbow injuries. See his 5-star testimonials at Healthgrades.

To request an appointment with Dr. Kolovich, go to Optim Orthopedics.