Ray of hope for patients with elbow joint pain

“Earlier, elbow joint replacements have been much rare and complex surgical process than hip or knee replacement surgeries. Elbow patients had a suffering life due to restricted movements and constant pain in elbow  joints even after complex surgeries and constant physiotherapy support. More than two decades of clinical research in advanced technologies have now given us simple and precise instrumentations that enable us to achieve greater ease -of-operation and  much improved recovery rare.” Explains Dr. Manuj Wadhwa, Director and Head of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
What is elbow replacement?
It is a procedure in which the damaged elbow joint is replaced with the artificial one so as to make it a painfree with functional range of motion.
In which cases replacement is needed?
It is most commonly done in arthritic and painful elbow joint which may be due to degeneration, inflammation ( such as in rheumatoid arthritis ) and as a result of trauma. Sometimes it is done to make a stiff elbow mobile.
How much costs involved with such replacement?
Cost of the surgery  with the most commonly used and the best available elbow prosthesis( Coonrad Morrey ) is around 2 lacs as a package including surgery, stay, medicines and implant
How long is the recovery time?
The movements of elbow are started 36 hours after surgery and the range allowed is as per tolerance of the patient. The goal is to achieve painfree movements  which usually is possible after 3 weeks.
At which places advanced level surgery is available?
Surgery being technically demanding and new in the basket of joint replacements is still done at handful centres across country.  It is done as a routine with most advanced technology  in Fortis hospital, Mohali. These are also done in few centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and other metros.
What is ‘mobile bearing replacement’ and which kind of patients it is recommended to?
Mobile bearing replacement in the knee uses the polyethylene insert which rotates over the tibia during knee movement. It mimicks the normal knee anatomy and motion ( kinematics). This is in contrast to the fixed bearing in which the insert remains fixed in the same position during knee range of motion. It is recommended to the patients with active loading demands.
How much costs are involved with ‘mobile bearing replacement’?
Same as elbow between 1.90 to 2 lacs
What is the level of expertise in India for advanced level orthopedic surgeries? Where is India in Joint replacement and other orthopedic treatments as compared to developed countries?
India is at par when compared for facilities and expertise available considering we have surgeons here who are trained at best of centres internationally and are doing far higher volumes as compared to international. Considering paients come at a much advanced stage here than west so at times surgical expertise and experience required is even higher.
Infrastructure in leading corporate hospitals is at par with west.
Can the people having heart or diabetes problems go for replacement surgeries?
YES. The replacement surgeries are generally done in 58-75 age group and around 60 % of them have one or more co-morbidities like diabetes , hypertension etc.
What precautions one should take before getting elbow replaced?
There is practically no precautions from the patient side except he/she should be familiar about the type ofsurgery and should understand its realistic goals.
Post-operative precautions, treatment and care?
Post operatively, as explained range of motion is started at 36 hrs under the guidance of our expert physiotherapist. When not exercising, the limb should be elevated and is rested in arm pouch. The patient is encouraged to move fingers and wrist actively. Dress check is done at 48 hrs and then on 5th day of surgery. Intravenous antibiotics are given for five days and then are changed to oral ones. Pain control is taken care of round the clock.
Preventive measures for people to keep body joints fit.
Daily workouts and aerobics keep our joints in a good condition. Maintain and keep a control on  your body weight. Yoga may also help in general fitness of the joints.

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