Home

Site Map

Links

News


Advanced Search

HomeSummaryReview of the conditionConsidering surgeryPreparing for surgeryPreparation Costs Surgical team Finding an experienced surgeon Facilities About the procedureRecovering from surgeryRehabilitationConclusion

Print Complete Article
View article with questions

Surgery for painful elbow joint arthritis, elbow instability, and tendonitis: Elbow replacement, ligament reconstruction and repair, and tendon surgery

Edited By: Thomas Trumble, M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, December 30, 2009

*We are working to keep you fit for life. Click here to find out more*

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

Preparing for surgery

Preparation

The best surgical results occur in healthy motivated patients who have had the appropriate work up and initial treatment. It is important to recognize potential sources of infection such as the bladder and the gums. The potential for infection may be reason to delay surgery. The patient should not be on anti-inflammatory medications prior to surgery, as these medications can result in excessive bleeding after surgery. Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications should be stopped at least seven days prior to surgery. The patient needs to plan on less function than usual for twelve weeks after surgery.
Driving, shopping, and performing usual chores may be difficult during this time. Plans for necessary assistance need to be made before surgery. For individuals who live alone or without readily available help, arrangements for home help should be made well in advance.

Costs

The surgeon's office should provide a reasonable estimate of:

the surgeon's fee,
the hospital fee, and
the degree to which these should be covered by the patient's insurance.

Surgical team

Elbow reconstructive surgery is technically demanding and should be performed by an experienced surgeon in a medical center accustomed to performing stabilization, reconstruction, and decompression. The surgeon should be experienced with all matters of upper extremity surgery, including tendon repair and reconstruction, nerve repair, and arterial repair as well as joint replacement.

Finding an experienced surgeon

A surgeon who specializes in complex upper extremity reconstruction may be located through University Schools of Medicine or the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (www.assh.org).

Facilities

Elbow reconstruction is usually performed at a major medical center or hospital that performs these procedures on a regular basis. These institutions have surgical teams and facilities assigned for this type of surgery. They also have the nurses and therapists who are accustomed to assisting patients in their recovery.

Surgery for Elbow Instability, Arthritis, and Tendonitis at the University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Seattle, Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure in Seattle, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-BONE (2663) to make an appointment. Our clinical center is located in Seattle Washington, USA

<< Previous Page

Next Page >>

How useful was this page or article?

This article is rated out of 5 stars (682 ratings).

Not useful at all	Not very useful	Useful	Very useful	Extremely useful

Arthritis

Children

Foot & Ankle

Hand & Wrist

Hip & Knee

Metabolic Bone Disease

Research

Shoulder & Elbow

Spine

Sports

Trauma

Tumor Service

Team Physicians to the UW Huskies Varsity Athletes...And You!