Elbow replacement

[Poppy-21]

Hello, has anyone had a elbow replacement I am due to have one this year and would appreciate any advice.

[BoneyC]

I am on the elbow replacement surgery waiting list ... can't come soon enough.

[davannh in reply to BoneyC]

I have had both my elbows replaced. One in 2015 the other in 2017. After surgery the pain just disappeared and (cross fingers) I have had no problems. I was told not to lift anything more than 2kg. I highly recommend this surgery !

[Poppy-21 in reply to davannh]

Thank you for your reply, did you have to go to a specialist Dr or hospital or did you just go to your local hospital, as elbow surgery doesn’t seem that common.

[davannh in reply to Poppy-21]

Elbow replacement is not as common as hips and knees. For that reason I would make sure you use an experienced surgeon who specialises in that area. The surgeon I used was excellent and is possibly why my recovery was quick and my elbows are so good. Do some research. Which part of the country are you?

[Poppy-21 in reply to davannh]

North Wales but willing to travel.

[davannh in reply to Poppy-21]

My surgeon was Lee Van Rensburg, Addenbrookes Hospital. I was in two nights for the first surgery and one night for the second.

[BoneyC in reply to davannh]

My surgeon too!

[davannh in reply to Poppy-21]

The problem with painful elbows is that you cannot do anything without experiencing pain. I also have replacement knees and it was possible to sit down to escape from the worst pain whereas even blowing your nose or eating is painful with damaged elbows.

[Poppy-21 in reply to davannh]

Oh bless you, you sound as if you have gone through a lot.

[dickfend]

Hi Poppy I have had my right elbow replaced and it was done initially seven years ago. However, I went back to the clinic four years ago because it was giving me pain and they did an MRI scan to find that the spigot that goes up inside of the humerus had broken through the wall of the bone. I then had the joint replaced again which again has broken through the humerus again last year. I am currently waiting for another operation to replace it again and been told that because the humerus bone is weak it will require a bone graft. So the rule is when you have had it done don’t put any strain on it or lift anything heavy. Other than that it is absolutely fine and pain free. .

[Poppy-21]

Thank you for your reply, sorry to hear you have had to have so much surgery on your elbow, i will definitely take your advice.

[dippyd09]

hello, I’ve had, like another post here, had both my elows replaced. One in 2014 and the other last year. I would highly recommend this op. After it was done I was perhaps a little uncomfortable for about a week to 10 days but my pain disappeared. Would say get it done. Good luck.

[Poppy-21 in reply to dippyd09]

Thank you for your reply and I will definitely be having it done.

[Beviejon1]

I had one replaced 8 years ago. All was well until 6 months ago. Waiting to see my surgeon . I may have to do another replacement

[Poppy-21]

Good luck hope all goes well 🤞🏻

[Kags1068]

Hi Poppy-21

Don't know if this would be useful, but few days ago another member named zen4 put up a very similar post. It could be worth you taking a look at the replies on that too if you are interested.

Best wishes and good luck 😊

[Poppy-21]

Thank you, I will take a look 👍🏻

[BoneyC]

Hi Poppy-21,

How is your elbow, are you still waiting for the replacement, or have you had the surgery now?

I've had the pre-op assessment, but no surgery date yet.

[Poppy-21 in reply to BoneyC]

Hi, I had my pre-op assessment 3wks ago still no news. How long ago was your pre-op?

[BoneyC in reply to Poppy-21]

My pre-op was 2 weeks ago today. I went on the list on 12th December 2023, so have been waiting 7 months, although original request to be referred to surgeon was May/June 2023!

I phoned the list coordinator yesterday to be told my surgeon is the only one who can do elbows (knew that) but he does other orthopedic surgery as well as upper limb. They are going to try passing some of his non-elbow work over to a couple of the other ortho surgeons. I was disappointed to hear this as there are about 20 ortho surgeons at this hospital, most of which do hips and knees, mine only does upper limb, another one does shoulders but not elbows and 2-3 hand or foot surgeons.

This means I am having to wait even longer as a P2 elbow (promoted from P3 at the end of May) than I would otherwise have done if he did elbows before other surgery. Obviously none of the other ortho surgeons can take his elbow work.

The list coordinator thought I might get seen in September, but the news today is that the waiting lists have increased! That will be 3 months after pre-op assessment, or maybe they'll do another one.

Next week I am going to see my surgeon to go on the list for my other elbow - ridiculous!

Have you telephoned your list coordinator at all?

[Poppy-21 in reply to BoneyC]

Oh my !! It does sound ridiculous. I was told only 200 elbows are replaced in the uk each year and only certain hospitals are now doing them. I went on the list December 2023. After my pre-op they did say if you don’t hear anything in the next 12 wks we will call you for another. Fingers crossed we both hear something sooner rather than later 🤞🏻

[BoneyC in reply to Poppy-21]

your wait sounds as long as mine!