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When Is Elbow Surgery Not Appropriate?

Even though elbow surgery may be an effective way to minimize or eliminate elbow pain, your doctor may decide that elbow replacement surgery is not appropriate for you. Some reasons could include:

  • You have an infection or a history of infection
  • You don't have enough bone, or the bone is not strong enough to support a new elbow
  • You have injured nerves in your elbow area
  • You have injured or nonfunctional elbow muscles
  • Your bones are not fully grown or developed
  • You have noticeable bone loss or a severe decrease in bone mass (osteoporosis)
  • Your elbow joint has been previously fused and is stable, functional, and painless
  • You have rheumatoid arthritis and active/history of skin lesions (due to increased risk of infection)
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Talk to your surgeon about whether joint replacement or another treatment is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of implant wear, loosening or failure, and pain, swelling and infection. Zimmer Biomet does not practice medicine; only a surgeon can answer your questions regarding your individual symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.