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Dr. Syed Ashfaq Hasan’s Bio | Q&A Archive

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Elbow replacement - Recovery

Alternative Names

Total elbow arthroplasty; Endoprosthetic elbow replacement

After the Procedure:

You may stay in the hospital for up to 2 or 3 days.

You may have a splint on your arm to help stabilize your elbow.

Your doctor will prescribe physical therapy to help you gain strength and use of your arm. Physical therapy will start with gentle flexing exercises. People who have a splint usually start therapy a few weeks later than those who do not have a splint.

Some people may start to have use of their new elbow as soon as 12 weeks after surgery. Complete recovery can take up to a year.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Elbow replacement surgery eases pain for most people. A second elbow replacement surgery is usually not as successful as the first one.

Elbow prosthesis

Reviewed last on: 7/28/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Azar FM, Calandruccio JH. Arthroplasty of the shoulder and elbow. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 8.

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