The human elbow, a hinged joint, connects the forearm and upper arm bones. The radius and ulna in the forearm and the humerus of the upper arm function by way of ligaments, which hold the joint together, and muscles responsible for movement. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a variety of injuries may occur to the elbow including fractures, joint dislocation, sprains and strains. Physicians may recommend a surgical procedure to repair the elbow injury.
Lateral Epicondylitis Surgery
A surgical procedure to repair a condition called lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, only occurs as a last resort, according to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Physicians usually prescribe non-surgical therapy to treat tennis elbow, which is caused by damage to the tendon that attaches the bone on the outside of the joint. In cases where incapacitating pain exists, or in cases where the pain lasts for more than six months, surgical intervention may be necessary. Both open and arthroscopic surgical procedure options remove diseased and degenerated tendon tissue in the elbow to repair the injury.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, an elbow surgical procedure common in athletes who throw an object overhand, occurs after an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. This ligament connects the bones of the elbow, which stabilizes the joint, according to a July 28, 2003 article in "USA Today." Sports fans call the surgical procedure "Tommy John surgery," named after the first baseball pitcher to have the surgery. During this procedure, a tendon from the wrist or hamstring gets attached to the bones of the elbow.
Elbow Replacement
Surgery to completely replace the elbow joint occurs as a treatment option for fractures that are difficult to fix, or when tumors or significant tissue damage in the elbow exist, according to MayoClinic.com. This surgical procedure replaces the bones in the joint with a metal prosthetic device. During this procedure, the surgeon removes the ends of the humerus and ulna that make up the elbow; any damaged tissue is cleared out. After the artificial joint parts are screwed into the ends of both the humerus and ulna, a hinge joins the parts.
