Elbow Replacement Surgery | Specialists and Information

On the initiative of the DGOOC (German Society for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery) and in collaboration with two professional associations (AE—German Society for Endoprosthetics e.V., BVOU—Professional Association for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery e.V.), a certification system called EndoCert has been in place throughout Germany since 2012.

This system enables specialized endoprosthetics clinics—that is, those focusing primarily on joint replacement—to obtain certification as an Endoprosthetics Center or, optionally, as a Maximum Care Endoprosthetics Center. For you as a patient, this primarily means having the assurance that the necessary equipment and staffing requirements are in place to ensure the success of your surgery.

Clinics bearing this seal are medical facilities certified by EndoCert as an Endoprosthetics Center (EPZ) or as a Maximum-Care Endoprosthetics Center (EPZmax), and have thus demonstrated through an audit that they meet the established requirements. Recertification is required every three years.

Artificial elbow joints are not visible from the outside, and the arm functions just like the original. In fact, however, the elbow prosthesis is made of metal; due to its durability, this is often titanium. The artificial joint surfaces are also often made of polyethylene, a plastic designed to reduce friction in the joint and, in principle, replace the articular cartilage surfaces.

Under normal circumstances, an elbow prosthesis lasts between 10 and 15 years, depending on the patient’s level of activity and age. However, if the joint becomes loose within the bone or inflammation develops, the elbow prosthesis must be surgically removed and a new one fitted.

Immediately after surgery, the elbow joint is immobilized for some time to allow the bone, skin, and tissue to heal. Depending on the surgical method and the patient’s individual circumstances, the stay at the specialized clinic for endoprosthetics can last between five and seven days. In rare cases—such as when patients are significantly older—it may be necessary to remain in the hospital for up to two weeks.

Once the splint has been removed, the actual mobilization of the elbow prosthesis begins. Unlike with hip and knee replacements, inpatient rehabilitation is not necessary in this case. During physical therapy, patients learn how to use their new elbow joint gently. The joint cannot be subjected to heavy strain indefinitely. This means, for example, refraining from playing golf or tennis, carrying or lifting weights heavier than one to two kilograms, and other activities that would normally place a strain on the elbow joint.

As a rule, the elbow prosthesis is fully functional after about six weeks, provided no inflammation or complications have arisen. The risk of such complications is also reduced by choosing a specialized center for joint replacement. The physicians working there are usually specialists in orthopedics and trauma surgery with extensive experience in their respective fields.

To become a specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery, one must complete several years of advanced training with a significant practical component, during which the prospective specialists learn primarily by performing surgeries themselves.