Elbow surgery

Elbow surgery can be an effective way to treat elbow injuries and conditions that aren’t healing with nonsurgical treatments. Surgery may be used to repair injured tendons, ligaments or joints worn down by arthritis.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our orthopedic surgeons use advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat elbow pain safely.

What is elbow surgery?

Elbow surgery refers to any operation used to treat elbow conditions or repair injuries. Typically, an orthopedic surgeon performs elbow surgery. They may use traditional, open techniques (larger incision) or minimally invasive methods (multiple tiny incisions) to access and repair the joint.

Types of elbow surgery

There are several different types and methods of elbow surgery. The right one for you will depend on your condition, the severity of the injury and your physical activity goals post-surgery.

The most common types of elbow surgery include:

• Arthroscopy: This is a minimally invasive technique used to both diagnose and treat joint conditions. The surgeon inserts a camera and, if needed, surgical instruments through tiny incisions around your elbow. Using this method, they can repair ligaments, tendons, some fractures, and remove loose fragments of bone or cartilage.
• Distal bicep repair: During this procedure, the surgeon reattaches a torn bicep tendon to the forearm.
• Elbow replacement: Joint replacement surgery is an option for an elbow joint that’s been worn away by arthritis. It replaces damaged parts of your joint with implants.
• Golfer’s/tennis elbow surgery: Releasing or removing the damaged tendon can help relieve the pain resulting from these types of tendinitis. These procedures may be open surgeries or arthroscopic, depending on your condition.
• Open reduction and internal fixation: Certain types of elbow fractures require an open surgery to reposition and fix the broken bones back into place.
• Tommy John surgery: This procedure, named after a pitcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers, is also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. It repairs damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow that results from overuse (especially repetitive overhead throwing).

Conditions treated with elbow surgery

Surgery isn’t typically the first line of treatment for elbow conditions and injuries. In most cases, your provider will recommend non-invasive therapies, such as steroid injections, regenerative medicine or physical therapy.

If nonsurgical treatment isn’t working, your doctor may recommend surgery to treat:

• Arthritis
• Fracture
• Golfer’s/tennis elbow (tendinitis)
• Ligament or tendon tears

Elbow surgery side effects

Any type of elbow surgery – open or arthroscopic – can have possible side effects. The risk of side effects is generally lower for arthroscopic procedures because they are less invasive.

Possible surgical side effects can include:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Infection
• Nerve injury (causing numbness or tingling)
• Pain

Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to keep your wound safe during healing. As soon as you’re able, you will start working with a physical therapist to regain strength and mobility in the joint.