Elbow Surgery - Orthopedic/Knee Surgery

Elbow Surgery Treatment Abroad

Any type of surgery performed on a bone or joint is considered a type of orthopedic surgery.  Injuries to the elbow are common in athletes, such as those who play contact sports, as well as tennis, golf, and baseball or football, but are also caused by falls or accidents.  Several types of elbow surgery are available for treatment, depending on the damage done to bone, muscular tissues or tendons and ligaments.

Common Elbow Surgery Procedures

• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow surgery)
• Elbow replacement surgery

Tennis Elbow Procedure

Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the elbow joint, commonly found in those who play tennis or other types of racket sports as well as baseball and football. Tennis elbow is caused by an inflammation of tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow joint. Two types of procedures th are available for the treatment of tennis elbow:

• Nonsurgical - includes anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce swelling and pain. Injections of steroids such as cortisone may be offered. Physical therapy, rest, and a brace may often be prescribed to reduce inflammation.
• Surgical - Several surgical approaches to treating tennis elbow th include:
• Open surgery - involves an incision over the elbow joint and removal of diseased or damaged muscle tissue or reattachment of healthy muscle to bone.
• Arthroscopic surgery - minimally invasive surgery using very small incisions made around the elbow joint, through which a long, thin tube called a cannula enables a surgeon to perform repair or removal of muscle tissue by viewing the surgical area via a camera feed from one end of the cannula to a monitor in the operating theatre.

Elbow Replacement Surgery

Elbow joint replacement surgery is often recommended when elbow joint tissues or bone are irreparably damaged or difficult to treat. Individuals suffering from severe arthritis of the elbow joint are candidates for such procedures. Common types of repair or replacement include:

• Synovectomy - commonly utilized on individuals diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an orthopedic surgeon removes swollen or inflamed synovial fluids surrounding the elbow that lead to pain and swelling. 
• Interposition Arthroplasty - usually recommended for those under 60 years of age suffering from severe forms of arthritis. The procedure involves resurfacing of the elbow joint to reduce surface area of bones rubbing together, causing pain and inflammation.
• Skin taken from other parts of the patient's body are used in the resurfacing process.  Bone spurs and loose pieces of bone are removed, the elbow is dislocated, and tendons or replacement skin is sewn into place between the bones within the joint.
• Osteocapsular Arthroplasty - involves debridement or removal of debris within the elbow joint, as well as loose cartilage or bone and bone spurs from the joint. Bones are re-contoured to repair deformities or deterioration caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Joint replacement surgery - Elbow joint replacements surgery removes deteriorated bone from an elbow joint and replaces that bone with a metal prosthesis customized by size to fit the patient.

How Much Does Elbow Surgery Cost?

In the United States, elbow joint replacement may cost up to $50,000, including hospitalization, anesthesia and physical therapy treatment. However, medical travelers choosing foreign destinations such as India or Thailand often spend less than $15,000 for the same all-inclusive procedure, while travelers to Costa Rica average around $18,000.  Turkish destinations offer elbow replacement surgery or other elbow surgeries for approximately $20,000 and South African locations for approximately $15,000.

Who Performs Elbow Surgeries?

Orthopedic surgeons must pass board certification following oral and written examinations in their native or adoptive countries of origin. For example, in the United States, this is the American Orthopedic Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons or the American Board of Medical Specialties. No matter where you live, you should be able to check the credentials of any physician or surgeon through a State, Provincial or National Board of Orthopedic Surgeons to find information about any particular physician, surgeon or specialist in various orthopedic treatment and surgical fields.

For more information about this procedure and where you can find the best clinics and surgeons offering elbow surgery, please contact us!