Elbow replacement surgery is a complicated procedure partly
because the elbow has several moving parts that balance each other with great
precision to control the movements of your forearm.
Your elbow can be damaged by problems ranging from rheumatoid
arthritis to traumatic fractures. In some cases, the damage can be surgically
repaired. But if the damage is extensive, your doctor might recommend elbow
replacement surgery. Pain is the most common reason people choose to have elbow
replacement surgery.
In some cases, you may need a replacement of just one portion of
the joint. For example, if only the head of one of your forearm bones (radius)
is damaged, it can be replaced with an artificial head.
If
the entire joint needs to be replaced, the ends of the bones that come together
in the elbow will be removed. Bones are hard tubes that contain a soft center.
The long, slender ends of the artificial joint are inserted into the softer
central part of the bones.