Gurugram, Sep 25: A 68-year-old woman suffering from severe pain and restricted movement in her left elbow has regained significant mobility following a total elbow replacement performed at Silverstreak Hospital, Gurgaon. The patient, who was unable to extend her elbow beyond 120 degrees, underwent the procedure under the care of Dr. Parteek Bansal, Orthopaedics, Silverstreak Hospital.
The patient had been experiencing persistent pain and stiffness in her left elbow, which progressively affected her ability to carry out routine daily activities. Clinical examination and X-ray imaging revealed advanced osteoarthritis involving both the ulnohumeral and radiocapitellar joints, with degenerative changes including cartilage loss, narrowing of the joint space and osteophyte formation.
Given the extent of joint degeneration and the resulting functional limitation, the orthopaedic team advised a total elbow replacement after the patient underwent the necessary pre-operative evaluations, including cardiology and anaesthesia clearances.
The surgery was performed under general anaesthesia using a posterior triceps-splitting approach. A semi-constrained elbow prosthesis was implanted to restore joint stability and function. According to the treating team, full elbow extension of 180 degrees was achieved during the procedure, which was completed in approximately 90 minutes.
“Advanced osteoarthritis of the elbow can significantly restrict movement and affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities. In this case, the extent of degeneration had resulted in substantial loss of motion. The objective of surgery was to relieve pain and restore functional movement while preserving the stability of the joint,” said Dr. Parteek Bansal, Orthopaedics, Silverstreak Hospital.
Post-operative rehabilitation was initiated in a structured manner. The patient's elbow was supported with a splint for two weeks to protect the repaired triceps. Passive movements and physiotherapy were initiated during the first week, while active physiotherapy was introduced after the stitches were removed and the splint was discontinued in the second week.
At the one-month follow-up, the patient demonstrated an elbow range of motion of approximately 150–160 degrees, with no reported pain or swelling. The surgical wound had also healed well.
Commenting on the case, Dr. V.K. Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director and Chief of Neurosurgery, Silverstreak Hospital, said,
“This case demonstrates the role of timely intervention and structured rehabilitation in patients with advanced joint degeneration. Restoring functional movement requires not only appropriate surgical treatment but also careful post-operative rehabilitation and follow-up.”
The case highlights how advanced osteoarthritis of the elbow can progress from pain and stiffness to significant functional limitation. For patients with persistent joint pain or progressively reduced movement, clinical evaluation and appropriate imaging can help determine the underlying cause and guide treatment.
