Has anyone had a total elbow replacement?

I had a total elbow replacement 4 1/2 years ago. I lost some movement in pinkie and next two fingers. Difficult to wash left side(including face and hair) . The replacement has come loose and the lower part is dangerously close to breaking through the bone. Now need another surgery with possibility of loosing any movement. I would like to know if anyone else has had this happen to them.

Wow, hope all goes well, keep us informed. I broke my elbow and had a plate and screws put it, no real problem but even 3 years later it can be sore and swell up and need to be dranined. The Dr said it's probably a ganglion cyst, nothing serios, just have it drined if it gets too large.

Had a total elbow replacement 2021, swelling never went down after surgery, took ten months to decide it was loose and infected. Removed joint a put in spacer, still swollen and failed to find infection after blood tests, bone scrapes, and cultures grown. 12 months later replaced spacer with new spacer without antibiotics impregnated, swelling went down by 70% . Still no infection found. Awaiting new joint operation.
My advice, unless you really don't need to do this don't have the joint replaced. Your life, leisure and work will be destroyed. I wish I had never started.

Just wondering if the surgery was done here in WA? Recently, my doctor recommended a total elbow replacement for my left elbow due to RA. I'm very unsure about this procedure and that's why I'm here on this forum. Thanks.

I’m in CA. My replacement is a Mayo that was their latest. My doctor has moved to NY and he had the best reputation for elbows. The doctor I have now is one of three recommended by physical therapists in Orange County. Check out how many your doctor has done and wouldn’t hurt to ask your local PT who their top three are. I wish you good luck. I have been procrastinating on my surgery.

Hi, I'm new here. Also trying to decide about surgery. Need total elbow replacement in both arms, right arm is worse than left. Trying to make an informed decision but it's difficult. My doctor in San Diego is affiliated with the University and has done more elbow replacements than anyone else in the area. But he did warn me it might only be partially successful and that I would take a year to recover. I'm in my mid-70s. I hate the pain but really, what's the tradeoff? Next month I am trying some very expensive injections that insurance does not cover. I live a pretty active life and it's hard to accept that one way or another this is going to bring me to a grinding halt.

Me too. It seems total elbow replacement is rare and can be either partially or fully unsuccessful. I am in my mid-70s and both elbows are bone on bone. If I were 50, no problem, I'd have the surgery. But this late in life, I'm thinking I can just live with the pain. Had cortisone shots for about 3 years but they stopped working. I have complicated braces that I can wear, but I can hardly get them on. Physical therapy did nothing. Acupuncture did nothing. After all, there is nothing to "fix" with bone-on-bone issues! Trying some expensive shots next month, insurance won't pay, but if they help I think I'll take that path for as long as I can. I am a fairly active woman and this is depressing as hell!

What was your post-op experience like? When you say you might lose all movement, what does that mean? Can you still use your hand and lift your arm? I'm thinking that I might have this fusion instead of a replacement. Good luck to you!

I think the fusion might be the loss of movement. I am procrastinating and haven’t been back to the doctor.

I was 79 when I had the replacement. I am also very active and miss what I used to do. I wish you success in getting the best for your elbow.