Elbow surgery encapsulates a wide array of orthopaedic surgeries conducted to heal a diseased or a fractured elbow. Although most of them heal via non surgical techniques such as physical therapy and medications, some conditions may require surgeries.
Today, we at MymedTrip.com shall brief you on elbow surgery by relaying a detailed description of who requires it, and the elbow surgery process.We will also give a description of the elbow surgery cost in India and elbow surgery success rates at Indian hospitals.
Elbow Surgery
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost of elbow surgery in India | 6000 USD- 7500 USD for total elbow replacement surgery |
| Discount | 10% on the above quoted price (final hospital’s bill) ONLY APPLICABLE ONLY FOR MyMedTrip.com patients Click here for exceptions and terms. |
| Number of days at hospital (Estimated) | 2-3 days |
| Number of days in India outside hospital (Estimated) | 13-14 days |
| Treatment’s Success Rate | Above 90% |
| Tests required to help assess the treatment | MRI, X- ray, and preoperative blood tests. |
What is covered in the above mentioned cost for surgery?
This price includes surgery cost, doctor’s fee, standard prescribed tests and all standard expenses required at the hospital.
About elbow surgery
Elbow surgery is done to correct any deformities of the elbow caused by an elbow condition or a traumatic injury. There are different kinds of elbow surgery such as an elbow arthroplasty, total elbow replacement, synovectomy, or arthroscopic debridement. These surgeries are performed to address different conditions. In order to understand them, we must first try to understand the elbow’s anatomy.
The Elbow
The elbow comprises bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The elbow that consists of the elbow joint, connects the forearm with the upper arm. There are three bones at the elbow joint which are known as the radius, the ulna, and the humerus. These bones are surrounded at their end by cartilage which allows easy movement.
All the bones and its cartilage are joined together by ligaments. They are located on the inside, known as medial collateral ligament, and the outside of the elbow, known as lateral collateral ligament. There is a third ligament known as the annular ligaments that joins the radius bone with the ulna bone.
The tendon attaches the muscles with the bone. There are the bicep tendon and tricep tendon which attach the front and back muscles of the arm to the bone.
Conditions of the elbow that may require elbow surgery
There are various conditions that cause elbow pain. Some of them are:-
- Tendonitis or inflamed tendon
- Golfer’s elbow
- Arthritic conditions
- Bone spurs
- Sprained elbow
- Bursitis
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Little leaguer’s elbow
- Dislocated elbow
- Radial tunnel elbow
Some of these conditions, initiated by fractures and injuries, do not require surgery. Additionally, some arthritic conditions may be addressed with medications, injections, and physiotherapy.
It is only when an irreversible damage has occurred, that an orthopaedic will suggest surgery. For this, there are tests that need to be done to assess the condition and degree of damage.
Tests required before elbow surgery
There are imaging tests that a surgeon will suggest in order to assess the condition of the elbow. Some of them will be:-
- MRI
- CT scan
- Radiography (boone x-ray)
If the surgeon sees no viable effective treatment other than surgery, surgery may be opted for. For this, the patient ought to undergo more tests, apart from imaging tests. This is done so as to determine if the patient is physically healthy before surgery. Some of the tests will be:-
- ECG
- Pre operative blood tests
- PT/PTT
- Chest x-ray
Before the elbow surgery
Once the patient has been cleared for surgery, the surgeon will give further advice so as to prepare the patient for surgery. Some of them will include:-
- Quit smoking.
- Stop the consumption of blood thinning agents such as alcohol.
- Refrain from certain medications such as anti-inflammatory medicines and over-the-counter painkillers.
- Do not consume any solid or liquid food on the night before surgery.
Types of elbow surgery
1. Elbow replacement surgery
In an elbow replacement surgery, the surgeon uses prosthetic implants to replace the damaged parts of the joint which has resulted out of arthritic conditions.
There are two kinds of prosthetics in this, linked and unliked. The linked prosthetics are the kinds in which the artificial instruments are joined together by a pin. An unlinked prosthetic does not have this pin.
Instead the prosthetics are left open on which it is expected that the surrounding muscles, tendons, and tissues will seal them thus naturally doing the work of the pin-like instrument.
The surgery commences under a general anesthesia. An incision is made on the elbow from which the surgeon accesses the damaged parts of the humerus or ulna. Following this, the surgeon removes the damaged parts and prepares the area for the prosthetics.
The surgeon places the prosthetics and tests its suitability. The surgeon then carefully puts back the tendons and muscles and closes the incision with stitches. Bandages are applied to protect the surgical site.
2. Elbow interposition arthroplasty
In this surgery, the surgeon places tissues in damaged parts of the joint. The joints may have been damaged due to arthritic condition. Elbow arthroplasty is a common procedure to treat arthritis.
The surgery commences under general anesthesia. The surgeon then makes an incision at the back of the elbow. Following this, the surgeon carefully removes the tendons and the nerves. This makes the damaged parts accessible and through this, the surgeon removes any bony spurs of the joints.
In the third step, the surgeon prepares the joint-ends by cleaning and making space for new tissues. The new tissue, which has been taken from the thighs, is placed at the tip of the humerus bone of the elbow. The surgeon then carefully places the tissues and muscles, and seals the wound by stitches.
3. Synovectomy
This surgery is done to remove the inflamed synovial membrane that is placed between the elbow joint. Sometimes, a synovectomy is conducted alongside an arthroscopic debridement in which broken tissues and bones are removed.
The surgeon may either conduct this surgery via the traditionally open method or via an arthroscope. An arthroscope is a surgical instrument to which a special camera and a small light is attached.
This instrument is inserted through a very small incision. Via this, the surgeon is able to access the structure of the internal organs and make proper decisions with regards to the surgical method.
The surgery commences under general anesthesia. Following this, the surgeon makes the incisions and inserts the arthroscope. The arthroscope projects live images of the patient’s internal organs onto a screen.
The surgeon then makes the remaining incisions. Through this, the surgeon accesses the synovial membrane and removes them. The surgery is completed by replacing the tendons and the muscles and closing the stitches.
Recovery after elbow surgery
Elbow replacement surgery
Recovery from an elbow replacement surgery takes about six weeks. The patient is discharged within one-two days. Following this, the patient is given a set of instructions with regards to the different ways of working with the new arm. While rehabilitation is an important part of recovery, it is equally important to avoid any strenuous activities for six weeks from the day of surgery.
Elbow interposition arthroplasty
Recovery from an elbow interposition arthroplasty takes a few weeks. In the first week, the surgeon will remove the stitches. The patient is provided with a splint which needs to be used while recovering. Rehabilitation is a very important part of the healing process for interposition arthroplasty.
It takes a total of two weeks to recover from the surgical wounds. Complete recovery may take some months.
Synovectomy
Recovery from a synovectomy may take some months. Physical therapy begins from the second day onwards. During this time, it is mandatory to take all pain medications and rigorously follow the rehabilitative instructions.
Risks involved in the elbow surgery
The risks associated with an elbow surgery are:-
- Anesthesia allergy
- Infection
- Blood clot
- Poor wound healing
- Implant problems
- Nerve injury
Inform the doctor immediately if the patient has persistent pain at the surgical site, high fever, and fluid discharge from the surgical wounds.
How can MyMedTrip.com help you?
If you have decided to travel to India for elbow surgery, you may contact us on our Whatsapp number +91 9818237391 or email us at hi@mymedtrip.com The first consultation arranged by us is free of cost! We also provide visa invitation letters and help in facilitating the medical journey to India.
Throughout the journey, you shall be provided with one of our staff members for proper guidance through linguistic barriers, even though most of the hospitals and doctors we feature are well versed with Arabic, Russian,Bengali, and English.
If you have any further queries or questions related to Elbow surgery services in India, please do not hesitate to email us at the aforementioned address.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elbow surgery
What is elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery encapsulates a wide array of orthopaedic surgeries conducted to heal a diseased or a fractured elbow.
What tests are required for elbow surgery?
ECG, preoperative blood tests including PT.
What are the different conditions of an elbow?
There are a variety of elbow conditions. Some of them are tendonitis or inflamed tendon, Golfer’s elbow, Arthritic conditions, Bone spurs etc.
What are the imaging tests required to diagnose the degree of diseased elbow?
The imaging tests required for elbow surgery are MRI, CT scan, radiography
What are the different types of elbow surgery?
The different types of elbow surgery are elbow replacement surgery, synovectomy, and elbow interposition arthroplasty.
What is interposition arthroplasty?
It is a surgery where the surgeon places tissues in damaged parts of the joint.
What is synovectomy?
A synovectomy is performed to remove the inflamed synovial membrane that is placed between the elbow joint.
What is the recovery time for total elbow replacement?
The recovery time for total elbow replacement is a few months.
What is the recovery time for interposition arthroplasty?
The recovery time for interposition arthroplasty is a few months.
What kind of anesthesia is used for elbow surgery?
Generally, a general anesthesia is used for elbow surgery.
What are the risks of elbow surgery?
The risks of an elbow surgery are Anesthesia allergy, infection, blood clot, poor wound healing, implant problems, an nerve injury
When to call the doctor in case of elbow surgery risks?
Inform the doctor if the patient is experiencing high fever, persistent pain, and fluid discharge from the surgical site.
