If you have severe arthritis in the elbow and other treatments haven’t worked, you may need a form of elbow replacement surgery.
Arthroplasty or elbow replacement is usually only an option if you are in severe pain or can’t use your arm. The surgery has long-term effects on your ability to play sports, lift objects, and perform everyday activities like raking leaves or hammering. Doctors will try other forms of treatment first.
There are different types of elbow joint replacement surgeries and doctors recommend them for different reasons. The choice of procedure depends on the amount of bone damage, and how stable the joint is.
The orthopaedic surgeons at UPMC can tell if an elbow replacement operation is right for you. They specialize in treating people with a wide range of joint problems.
Any form of elbow arthroplasty is a major surgery that replaces your natural elbow joint with artificial parts.
The elbow is a small, complex joint. It consists of one bone in the arm (humerus) and two in the forearm (ulna and radius).
The main hinge occurs between the humerus and ulna. It allows the elbow to transfer forces from the hand to the shoulder. This joint lets you perform dozens of everyday movements, like eating, bathing, and lifting objects.
Different types of arthritis can damage the elbow joint, sometimes so severely that it doesn’t work properly. If you can’t move your elbow because of intense pain, it can greatly affect your quality of life.
Elbow replacement surgery isn’t as common as other joint replacement procedures, such as knee and hip replacements. But like those more common operations, it aims to relieve pain and restore movement of the joint.
There are several types of replacement elbow surgery. Your surgeon will talk to you about what’s right for you.
Interposition arthroplasty is a joint resurfacing technique where doctors place soft tissue between the damaged bone surfaces to create a membrane. They release the attached ligaments to expose the joint, then place the membrane and reconstruct the ligaments.
Doctors may suggest interposition arthroplasty for younger, more active people who have post-traumatic elbow arthritis. This procedure helps preserve the bone, avoids complications from having metal components in the elbow, and has minimal long-term lifting restrictions.
UPMC surgeons are currently developing a new type of ligament reconstruction for this procedure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering it for a trial.
Hemiarthroplasty is a procedure where doctors replace only half of the damaged elbow joint. They may consider it when the ulna is in relatively good condition. In those cases, it has an advantage over total elbow replacement because it doesn’t include a linking mechanism.
Total elbow arthroplasty consists of metal on a plastic hinge and incorporates two metal stems. These stems get cemented into the hollow part of your upper arm and the bones in your forearm. The hinge links the two metal stems together and lets the artificial joint bend.
The goal of elbow arthroplasty is to reduce pain and restore a functioning joint. Total elbow replacement is typically a surgery for older, less active people. Artificial joints come in different sizes to fit different people.
Elbow replacement is an option for different types of elbow arthritis. It is usually only an option if you are in a great deal of pain or can’t use your arm.
Here are some reasons you might need an elbow replacement:
You may need elbow arthroplasty if you have severe arthritis in the elbow and other treatments haven’t worked.
Total elbow replacement surgery might be a good option for older, less active adults. Doctors usually don’t recommend it for younger people unless other treatments have failed. For younger people, doctors consider the other options (interposition and hemiarthroplasty) first.
Surgery is usually only an option if you are in a great deal of pain or can’t use your arm.
You may be a candidate for elbow replacement surgery if:
Before recommending a total or partial elbow replacement, your doctor will advise you to try other, more conservative treatments.
These include:
Overall, elbow replacement surgery is a safe procedure. However, every surgery has some risks.
These include:
Specific complications of elbow replacement surgery include:
One major side effect to an elbow replacement is that you will have restrictions on how much physical activity you can do.
After the surgery, you should not:
Most elbow replacement surgeries are outpatient procedures. That means you’ll go home the same day. However, your doctor may decide it would be best for you to stay overnight in the hospital.
Your orthopaedic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to get ready for your surgery. They may ask you to schedule a complete physical exam with your primary care doctor a few weeks before the surgery. This is to make sure you’re healthy enough to undergo elbow replacement surgery and recovery.
If you have a chronic condition like heart disease or diabetes, you may need to see that specialist before your elbow replacement.
The surgery itself will take about two to three hours.
Once you arrive at the hospital, you’ll get prepped and ready for the surgery.
You will have anesthesia through an IV. For most elbow replacement procedures, doctors use general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep and won’t feel pain. You might also have regional anesthesia to numb your arm for greater pain relief.
Your surgeon will make a cut in the back of your elbow to get a good view of the elbow joint. They will remove scar tissue and bone spurs. Then, the surgeon will proceed with the chosen procedure: interposition arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or total elbow arthroplasty.
No matter what type of elbow surgery you have, the surgeon will sew the incision back up. They will put a padded dressing over the wound to protect it. You may have a small temporary tube in the joint to drain fluid.
After the surgery, your doctor will give you antibiotics to prevent infection. You should be able to get out of bed and eat an evening meal the same day as the surgery. You may be able to go home the same day or stay in the hospital for a day or two.
You may need to wear a soft splint on your arm to keep the elbow in place for the first week. After that, you may need to use a brace with a hinge.
It may take up to a year to completely recover from elbow replacement surgery.
You will feel some pain after your surgery, both from the procedure itself and once your body starts to heal. Your doctor will prescribe short-term medication to help you manage pain.
These may include:
It’s important to use any medication only as your doctor prescribed. You should stop taking them as your pain subsides. Call your doctor if your pain doesn’t begin to improve a few days after surgery.
Physical therapy will help you get stronger and slowly regain use of your arm. Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy or teach you exercises to do on your own.
These include:
You’ll return to the doctor for checkups after your surgery.
You should call the doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2026-05-28.
