Elbow replacement or radial head excision?

Trikkinikki

I have had elbow pain for over 6 years since a fall. I had tissue growing around the bone for which I had arthroplasty and synovectomy. However, this has left my elbow joint in a terrible state and I have no cartilage left in my elbow.

i was offered a radial head excision or an elbow replacement and I am unsure which to have. I suffer from pain all day but more so at night. I haven’t had a good nights sleep in years. I am unable to eat using my right arm as it will.not bend and find things like washing my hair and packing shopping difficult, among other things.

Can I hear from people who have had either of these operations please. I am worried about elbow replacement as I am right handed and won’t be able to do much with my right arm in terms of lifting things. .I just wonder if radial head excision is as successful in relieving pain and giving back movement to my arm.

Thank you.

Tom

Welcome to the Community @trikkinikki. You are facing up to a decision between having either a radial head excision or an elbow replacement. 

Here is information from our website: 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/shoulder-and-elbow-replacement/ 

This may also help as you wait surgery: 

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/april/ways-to-manage-your-pain-while-waiting-for-surgery/

Good luck with your decision making and please let us know of progress. 

Tom, 

Moderator. 

stickywicket

Hi,

I can't actually remember anyone posting about either of these but here's some reliable info from NHS

https://www.iow.nhs.uk/Downloads/Patient_Information_Leaflets/orthopaedics%20-%20Excision%20of%20the%20Radial%20Head%20V5.pdf

http://flipbooks.leedsth.nhs.uk/LN003677.pdf

frogmorton

Much rarer than Hips and knees @Trikkinikki as Stickywicket suggested, but is it worth looking at this search i did of recent posts?

https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?query=elbow%20replacement&scope=site&source=community

@lindalegs definitely had a replacement and will be sure to come along in now I've 'called' her!

@Catch23 is considering an elbow replacemnt I think if you look at his post from 3rd March.

Best of luck

Toni x

Trikkinikki

Thank you Tom. I will have a look.

lindalegs

Ho @frogmorton Toni,

I have answered a PM to Trikkinikki and, as usual, do go on a bit! I haven't had an elbow replacement but have helped as much as I'm able with being right-handed and having a right shoulder replacement.

Love, Legs xx