Q: I am in my 50’s and have dislocated my elbow on multiple occasions. I have tried everything from physical therapy to bracing to avoiding the activities that I love. Is there a better solution out there for me?
A: Depending on the direction and type of elbow dislocation that is occurring, there is a good chance that you would benefit from a radial head arthroplasty, or replacement. There are several types of implants available and decent research to show good to excellent outcomes in most cases. However, this is typically a specialty area so you will need to discuss this with your physician for his further referral.
Reference: Daniel C. Acevedo, MD. et al. Radial Head Arthroplasty: State of the Art. In Journal of American Academy for Orthopedic Surgeons. October 2014. Vol. 22, No 10. Pp. 663-642.
