Elbow Surgery

It’s Not a “Crazy Bone” Anymore 
 

Her arm hurt so much and her range of motion was so limited that Mildred Hagerman had to have someone else deal cards for her during friendly Pitch games. Her hands and fingers were so swollen she couldn’t wear her rings; buttoning sweaters and other clothing was impossible; she couldn’t turn or twist her wrist or elbow for any reason; and typically her left arm just hung by her side in an effort to limit the pain. She said it felt like constant “crazy bone” shooting pain.

But that’s all different now. Mildred, 89, is “bionic”---she had her elbow replaced!

In the more than two months since her elbow replacement surgery, she happily and easily buttons her sweater and bends and twists her arm just like years ago—but now without pain.

“Mildred was an ideal patient for elbow replacement surgery because the procedure would relieve the pain she endured and ensure years of optimal functioning,” Dr. Nicholas Gove explained, “Arthritis in the elbow can be disabling, because we rely on the full range of motion to perform daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and eating,”

In elbow replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone are replaced with a durable implant made of metal alloys and polyethelene. Dr. Gove uses the Discovery™ Elbow System designed to replicate the patient’s anatomy with a spherical hinge.

Lavin Haberling, Saint Elizabeth occupational therapist, tells us her patient had to wear a special compression sleeve at first to minimize swelling and scar tissue as well as a splint at night to keep her arm and its “new” elbow extended. Mildred’s been a model patient who did her therapeutic exercises faithfully and the result is a full range of motion. And no more crazy bone pain!

To contact a surgeon who performs unique elbow replacment surgery, call Saint Elizabeth TLC at 402.219.7000. 

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Physician Report:
        Elbow replacement surgery at Saint Elizabeth is relieving pain and 
        restoring functional mobility in patients with advanced arthritis.
 
Mildred Haggerman could hear a grinding sound when she tried to move her elbow. She had fractured her elbow and dislocated the joint years before, and severe post-traumatic arthritis was now causing horrible pain. She was keeping her arm in a sling and was ready to see a doctor.

Mildred was an ideal patient for elbow replacement surgery because the procedure would relieve the pain she endured and ensure years of optimal functioning,” says Nicholas Gove, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand surgery and on the medical staff at Saint Elizabeth. “Arthritis in the elbow can be disabling, because we rely on the full range of motion to perform daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, cooking, and eating,”

A Cut Above
In elbow replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage and bone are replaced with a durable implant made of metal alloys and polyethelene. Dr. Gove uses the Discovery™ Elbow System designed to replicate the patient’s anatomy with a spherical hinge.

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Patients remain at Saint Elizabeth a day or so to recover.
Patients will see a physical therapist about one week after to surgery to begin gentle range-of-motion exercises. Although arthritis pain is relieved once elbow replacement surgery is complete, activities are gradually increased for a month while the surrounding tendons heal.

Measurable Success
Two months later, Mildred is now pain free and is back doing her normal activities----including  playing with her grandchildren.
“We are pleased to offer this highly advanced option to members of our community suffering with severe arthritis pain,” says Dr. Gove.
For more information on this unique procedure or the physicians who perform it, please call (402) 219.7000.