If you have a serious condition affecting your elbow, such as ligament tears, tennis elbow, or tendon injuries, you might need elbow surgery. Your elbow is an intricate joint, and surgery in this area requires careful planning and execution. Brent J. Morris, MD, is an experienced board-certified orthopedic surgeon with the experience to provide you with the best results. To make an appointment and learn if your elbow injury requires surgery, contact Dr. Morris’ Lexington, KY, office through calling the office to book an appointment.
The most common conditions treated with elbow surgery include:
Not every patient with one of these conditions needs surgery. Some patients are able to recover with less invasive treatment options, such as rest and physical therapy. Dr. Morris helps you compare treatment options and determine which would be most effective for your condition.
Elbow surgery is necessary when the damage to your elbow doesn’t heal on its own or with more conservative treatment measures. You may also need elbow surgery if you’re experiencing continuous pain or limited functioning because of the damage in your elbow.
To determine whether elbow surgery is the right choice for you, Dr. Morris performs a thorough physical examination and reviews your medical history carefully. He may also order scans of the elbow to get a closer look at the damage inside the joint. If he determines that surgery is the best course of action, he explains why the procedure is necessary and how it can help you heal.
Elbow surgery carries risks similar to most other surgical procedures, including:
In some cases, elbow surgery may not be successful, and you may continue experiencing symptoms even after your recovery period. Elbow surgery may also cause damage to surrounding tissues. However, as an experienced board-certified elbow surgeon, Dr. Morris knows how to perform these procedures as safely and effectively as possible.
Every patient is different, and different surgeries have different recovery periods. In general, you recover from minimally invasive surgery faster than from an open procedure. Before scheduling your surgery, Dr. Morris explains your expected recovery time, as well as the instructions you must follow while your elbow heals. Following all of these instructions carefully ensures that you recover from the procedure as quickly as possible.
