Are you having trouble with your elbow, even lifting a cup, due to constant pain? Perhaps you injured your elbow while playing sports, or due to a sudden fall or accident? If your pain has not subsided despite taking medication and undergoing physiotherapy, your doctor may have talked to you about elbow surgery. It is normal to feel a little scared and nervous when you hear the word "surgery". But if we are aware of this, this fear and uncertainty can be eliminated to a great extent. So, let's talk about this simply and calmly.
What is this elbow surgery?
Simply put, elbow surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed to repair damage to the bones (broken, fractured), ligaments, tendons, or other soft tissues in your elbow joint, or to correct the underlying problem. This is performed by an orthopedic surgeon. The type of surgery you will undergo will depend on your condition or injury.
Imagine that you have a small bone spur inside your elbow that is causing you pain and difficulty in extending or extending your arm. Or, you have torn a ligament in your elbow. Sometimes, the joint may have worn down due to a condition like arthritis. In these cases, surgery is the best solution if other treatments do not help.
Two main methods of surgery
There are two main methods used to perform elbow surgery. Depending on your condition, your doctor will choose the most appropriate one of these two methods.
| Surgical method | How it happens |
|---|---|
| Arthroscopy - "keyhole" surgery | This is a modern, minimally invasive procedure. In this procedure, several very small incisions are made in your elbow, and a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted through one of them into the joint. The images from the camera are displayed on a large screen. The doctor watches it and inserts thin, long instruments through other small incisions to make the necessary repairs. Advantages: The incisions are small, so there is less pain, the wound heals quickly, the risk of infection is low, and physical therapy can begin soon. |
| Open Surgery | This is the traditional method. Here, a slightly larger incision is made above the joint and the joint is opened and examined. This method is used if the elbow has been severely damaged in an accident, or if the entire joint needs to be replaced (Elbow Replacement). Advantages: The doctor can see the entire joint clearly at once. This makes it easier to solve complex problems. |
What happens during the operation?
Most elbow surgeries are outpatient procedures, meaning you can go home the same day after treatment . This means that if you go to the hospital in the morning, you can return home in the evening.
Before the surgery begins, you will be given anesthesia to prevent you from feeling any pain. There are two ways to do this:
1. Regional Anesthesia: Only your arm is numb. You are conscious, but you don't feel any pain in your arm.
2. General Anesthesia: You will be put completely to sleep. You will not feel anything until the operation is over.
Sometimes both methods can be used together. During surgery, the doctor removes damaged tissue, repairs torn ligaments, realigns and fixes broken bones, or, if necessary, replaces parts of the joint.
Different types of elbow surgeries
There are several types of surgeries that can be performed for elbow problems. These are a bit complicated, but let's take a look at what they involve in a simple way.
| Procedure Name | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Cubital/Radial Tunnel Release | If a nerve that passes through the elbow (Ulnar or Radial nerve) is pinched or compressed, the nerve needs to be released from the compression. |
| Debridement | Removing dead, damaged, or loose tissue that is interfering with the joint. |
| Elbow Bursectomy | Removal of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that causes swelling (bursitis) in the elbow. |
| Elbow Replacement | Replacing a severely worn joint or part of it with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic. |
| Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) | The process of properly realigning broken bones and fixing them with wires, nails, or plates. |
| Synovectomy | Removing the inflamed synovial membrane in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Tommy John Surgery | Repairing a torn ligament (Ulnar Collateral Ligament) on the inside of the elbow, which is common in players such as cricket and baseball. |
What are the risks of this surgery?
Like any surgery, elbow surgery carries some risks, but these are very rare.
- Blood Clots: Because the arm has to be immobilized after surgery.
- Infection: If the wound is not kept clean.
- Excessive Bleeding: During or after surgery.
- Nerve Injuries: The elbow is a very small space with a lot of bones, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. So, there is a high chance of a small nerve injury during surgery. But don't worry, most of the time this damage is temporary. You may feel numbness and tingling in your hand, but it will heal over time.
Your doctor will take every necessary step to minimize these risks.
What happens after surgery?
The biggest role on your part begins after the operation is successfully completed. It is very important to properly manage the healing process.
Remember, surgery is just the first step in the healing process. What you do after that will have the biggest impact on regaining function in your elbow.
Take care of these things after you get home:
- Wound care: Keep the wound clean and dry as directed by your doctor. If the area around it becomes red, swollen, or pus appears, tell your doctor immediately.
- Pain management: Take the painkillers prescribed by your doctor at the right time and in the right dosage. Don't tolerate the pain.
- Sling: You may be asked to wear a sling. This will help the joint rest and reduce swelling. Wear it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
- Bathing: The doctor will advise you on how to bathe without getting the wound wet. Usually, you should bathe with a waterproof cover.
- Physical Therapy: This is the most important part. After the injury has healed a little, a physiotherapist will teach you exercises to gradually bend, extend, and strengthen your elbow. Even if it is a little difficult at first, do these exercises exactly. Otherwise, the joint may become stiff and you may not be able to use your arm the way you used to.
How long will it take to fully recover?
There's no single answer to this. It depends on the type of surgery you had, your age, and how well you're doing with physical therapy.
- Cuts usually take a few weeks to heal .
- It can take anywhere from a few months to a year to regain full function in the elbow .
So be patient and follow the instructions of your doctor and physiotherapist. Your surgeon will be the best person to give you an idea of your recovery time. Ask him or her about these things.
- When will the stitches be cut? Or will they dissolve?
- How long will the pain last? Will I need painkillers?
- How long should physical therapy treatment be done?
- When will I be able to play sports or do heavy work again?
When do you need to talk to the doctor?
It is normal to have some mild pain and swelling after surgery. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, please notify your doctor or the hospital where you received treatment without delay .
| If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Fever | If the body temperature rises, it may be a sign of an infection. |
| Unusual discharge from the wound | If the wound is oozing yellow or green pus-like fluid or has a foul odor. |
| Severe numbness | If numbness or loss of feeling in the hand or fingers increases. |
| Severe swelling or bleeding | If the elbow or hand swells abnormally, or if the bandage gets wet and bleeds. |
| The pain becomes unbearable. | If the pain becomes too much to control even after taking painkillers. |
Facing elbow surgery and the long recovery process that comes with it is not easy. But if you are thinking about it, there must be a good reason. Maybe you have been suffering from pain for a long time. If surgery can solve the problem, it will be a great relief in your life. Your medical team is here to help you on this journey. So don’t hesitate to ask them about any questions or concerns you may have.
Take-Home Message
- Elbow surgery is not something to be afraid of, it can be a permanent solution to your pain and discomfort.
- Arthroscopy is a procedure that uses small incisions and heals quickly. Open surgery is best for larger injuries and joint replacements.
- Physical therapy is essential for a full recovery. Don't let it lead to boredom or pain.
- If you develop a fever, pus from the wound, or severe swelling after surgery, notify your doctor immediately.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. Being informed is the best way to overcome fear.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment