Elbow Surgery: Types, Procedure, Risks and Recovery
Updated: 3 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: November 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery is any operation on the bones or soft tissues of the elbow joint, usually done to treat an injury or condition that has not improved with other treatments. It's often done with arthroscopy, which uses a tiny camera and small incisions. Most elbow surgeries take one to two hours, and you usually go home the same day. [1]
What the research says
Elbow arthroscopy has a low overall complication rate. A systematic review of 52 studies found total complication rates of 1.5% to 11% after elbow arthroscopy, with a few studies reporting over 25%. Nerve injury rates ranged from 1.26% to 7.5%, and debridement was the most common arthroscopic procedure. Risk factors included obesity, age over 65 years, tobacco and alcohol use, previous elbow surgery and steroid injections around the time of the procedure. (Tsenkov et al., International Orthopaedics, 2022) [2]
For a trapped ulnar nerve, a simple release worked as well as moving the nerve, with fewer complications. A meta-analysis of 13 studies with 1,009 people with cubital tunnel syndrome found no significant difference in clinical outcomes between simple decompression (500 patients) and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve (509 patients). Complications were significantly less common after simple decompression (odds ratio 0.32). (Chen et al., Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 2014) [3]
Most pitchers return to pitching after Tommy John surgery, but recovery is long. A systematic review of 14 studies with 1,520 baseball pitchers found that 79% to 100% returned to any level of pitching after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, and 79% to 87% of Major League pitchers returned to their preinjury level. The average time to return to play was 19.8 months, and most studies showed pitchers threw fewer innings afterward. (Coughlin et al., The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019) [4]
Key takeaways
Elbow surgery is any operation on the bones or soft tissues of the elbow, usually after other treatments have not helped. [1]
The two main approaches are arthroscopy (small incisions and a camera) and open surgery (one larger incision). [1]
Common operations include nerve release, debridement, bursectomy, elbow replacement, bone repair (ORIF), osteotomy, synovectomy, tenotomy and Tommy John surgery. [1]
Most procedures are outpatient and take one to two hours, followed by one to two hours in a recovery room. [1]
Incisions take at least a few weeks to heal, and physical therapy may last a few months to a year. [1]
Risks include blood clots, infection, bleeding and nerve injury. Nerve injuries and infections are slightly more common than in larger joints. [1] [2]
What is elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery is any surgery on the bones or soft tissues of your elbow joint. Your elbow is where the bones of your upper arm and forearm meet, and it is held together by ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves packed closely into a small space. [1]
Orthopaedic surgeons (bone and joint specialists) perform elbow surgery. Whenever possible, they use minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy, to reduce pain and speed up healing. [1]
Why is elbow surgery done?
You might need elbow surgery to treat an injury or condition that does not get better with other treatments. Your provider will explain when and why they recommend surgery for you. [1]
Elbow surgery can be used to: [1]
Free a trapped (entrapped) ulnar or radial nerve, such as in cubital tunnel syndrome
Remove dead, loose or damaged tissue
Treat chronic (long-lasting) elbow bursitis
Treat rheumatoid arthritis in the joint lining
Repair a torn or injured ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)
Repair bones after a traumatic injury
Realign bones or relieve pain
Replace part or all of a damaged joint
What are the types of elbow surgery?
There are two main ways to operate on the elbow. Your surgeon chooses the approach based on your condition and how much of the joint they need to reach. [1]
Arthroscopy: The surgeon inserts a small camera (arthroscope) through a small hole in your skin and passes long, narrow tools through other small holes.
Open surgery: The surgeon makes one larger incision over the joint. It is more likely for urgent cases, traumatic injuries, problems that need access to a large area, or a full joint replacement.
Feature | Arthroscopic surgery | Open surgery |
Incision | Several small holes | One larger incision over the joint |
How the surgeon sees | A small camera on a screen | Directly, with access to the whole elbow |
Main benefits | Faster healing, less pain, earlier rehab, less stiffness | Immediate access for complex or widespread problems |
Often used for | Most planned procedures when possible | Traumatic injuries, urgent repairs, full joint replacement |
Sources: [1]
Common elbow procedures
Many specific operations can be done on the elbow, either arthroscopically or as open surgery: [1]
Cubital or radial tunnel release: Frees an entrapped ulnar nerve or radial nerve. Read more about ulnar nerve entrapment.
Debridement: Removes dead, loose or damaged tissue.
Elbow bursectomy: Removes the bursa (a small fluid-filled sac) to treat chronic elbow bursitis.
Elbow replacement: Replaces part or all of the joint with prosthetic (artificial) parts. See our full guide to elbow replacement surgery.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Repositions and repairs bones.
Osteotomy: Cuts or reshapes bone to realign it or relieve pain.
Synovectomy: Removes the synovial membrane (the joint lining) to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Tenotomy: Repairs or releases tension in a tendon.
Tommy John surgery: Repairs an injured ulnar collateral ligament. Learn more in our guide to Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction).
Sources: [1]
How do you prepare for elbow surgery?
Your surgeon will explain why they recommend surgery and which procedure you will have. Most elbow surgeries are outpatient, so plan for a same-day visit. [1]
Ask about your procedure. Find out whether you will have arthroscopic or open surgery, and what will be repaired, removed or replaced.
Ask about anesthesia. You may have a regional nerve block, general anesthesia or both.
Plan for home care. Ask how to care for your incisions, control pain, use a sling, shower, sleep comfortably and when you can drive or return to work.
Sources: [1]
What happens during elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, so most people go home the same day. [1]
You receive anesthesia: a regional nerve block to numb your arm, general anesthesia so you sleep through the operation, or both.
Your surgeon reaches the joint, either through small holes with an arthroscope or through one larger incision.
Your surgeon repairs or removes damaged tissue.
If needed, they put parts back in place or replace them.
The incisions are closed and dressed.
You move to a recovery room for one to two hours while the anesthesia wears off.
Sources: [1]
Elbow surgery at a glance
Item | Typical detail |
Who performs it | An orthopaedic surgeon |
Usual setting | Outpatient; most people go home the same day |
Anesthesia | Regional nerve block, general anesthesia or both |
How long it takes | Most procedures take one to two hours |
Recovery room | Another one to two hours of observation |
Incision healing | At least a few weeks |
Physical therapy | A few months to a year, depending on the procedure |
Sources: [1]
Is elbow surgery painful?
Anesthesia keeps you from feeling pain during surgery. You will have some pain afterward, and your provider will explain how to control it at home. Arthroscopic surgery usually causes less pain than open surgery because the incisions are smaller. Call your provider if your pain gets worse and cannot be relieved. [1]
What happens after elbow surgery?
After one to two hours in the recovery room, most people go home the same day. Before you leave, your provider will explain how to: [1]
Care for your incisions and wounds
Manage your pain
Use a sling
Shower or bathe safely
Sleep comfortably
Know when you can drive again
Know when you can return to work and household chores
Schedule your follow-up visit
How long does recovery from elbow surgery take?
Recovery depends a lot on which procedure you had. Ask your surgeon about your own timeline, including when stitches come out, how long pain may last, how long therapy will take and when you can return to sports or physical work. [1]
Day of surgery: Most procedures take one to two hours, followed by one to two hours in a recovery room. Most people go home the same day.
First few weeks: Your incisions take at least a few weeks to heal.
After your wounds heal: A physical therapist guides you through gradual exercises to restore flexibility and strength.
A few months to a year: Physical therapy may continue for this long, depending on your procedure.
Sources: [1]
Physical therapy is an important part of recovery. Arthroscopic surgery lets you start rehabilitation earlier, so your elbow is less stiff when you start moving it again. [1]
What are the risks of elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery is relatively safe. Possible risks include: [1]
Complication | What it means |
Blood clots | A clot forming in a blood vessel after surgery |
Infection | Germs entering the surgical wound or joint |
Excessive bleeding | More bleeding than expected during or after surgery |
Nerve injury | Damage to a nearby nerve, which may cause temporary numbness or tingling until it heals |
Sources: [1]
Because the elbow is a small area with tissues packed closely together, nerve injuries and infections are slightly more common than with surgery on larger joints. In research on elbow arthroscopy, nerve injury rates ranged from 1.26% to 7.5%. [1] [2]
What are the benefits of elbow surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery has smaller incisions that heal faster, less pain, fewer healing complications and an earlier start to rehabilitation, which helps prevent stiffness. Open surgery gives your surgeon immediate access to the entire elbow, which helps with complex or widespread disease, when the source of the problem is unclear, or when urgent repair is needed. [1]
When should you call your provider after elbow surgery?
Call your provider right away if you have any of these after elbow surgery: [1]
Fever
Abnormal discharge from your wound
Numbness or tingling
Severe bleeding or swelling
Worsening pain that cannot be relieved
Questions to ask your provider
Which procedure do I need, and why?
Will my surgery be arthroscopic or open?
What type of anesthesia will I have?
How long will I need to wear a sling?
When can I drive, work and return to sports or physical labor?
How long will physical therapy last?
Conclusion
Elbow surgery covers many operations on the bones and soft tissues of the elbow, from freeing a trapped nerve to repairing a ligament or replacing the joint. It is usually done when other treatments have not worked, most often through arthroscopy, and most procedures are outpatient and take one to two hours. [1]
Recovery depends on the procedure. Incisions take at least a few weeks to heal, and physical therapy, which is key to regaining strength and flexibility, may last a few months to a year. Serious complications are uncommon, but call your provider right away for fever, wound discharge, numbness, heavy bleeding or swelling, or pain that keeps getting worse. [1] [2]
Keep learning: Read our detailed guides to elbow replacement surgery, Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction) and cubital tunnel syndrome. For more on minimally invasive elbow surgery, see the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guide to elbow arthroscopy.
FAQ
What is elbow surgery?
Elbow surgery is any operation on the bones or soft tissues of the elbow joint, usually to treat an injury or condition that has not improved with other treatments.
Why would I need elbow surgery?
It can free a trapped nerve, remove damaged tissue, treat chronic bursitis or rheumatoid arthritis, repair a UCL injury or damaged bones, or replace a damaged joint.
What are the types of elbow surgery?
The two main types are arthroscopy, which uses a small camera and small incisions, and open surgery, which uses one larger incision.
How long does elbow surgery take?
Most elbow procedures take one to two hours, followed by another one to two hours in a recovery room.
Will I be asleep during elbow surgery?
You may have a regional nerve block to numb your arm, general anesthesia so you sleep, or both.
Will I stay in the hospital after elbow surgery?
Usually not. Most elbow surgery is outpatient, so most people go home the same day.
How long does it take to recover from elbow surgery?
Incisions take at least a few weeks to heal, and physical therapy may last a few months to a year, depending on the procedure.
Do I need physical therapy after elbow surgery?
Yes. Physical therapy starts once your wounds heal and is an important part of restoring flexibility and strength.
What are the risks of elbow surgery?
Risks include blood clots, infection, excessive bleeding and nerve injury, which may cause temporary numbness or tingling.
When should I call my doctor after elbow surgery?
Call right away for fever, abnormal wound discharge, numbness or tingling, severe bleeding or swelling, or worsening pain that cannot be relieved.
How do I prepare for elbow surgery?
Ask your surgeon whether you'll have arthroscopic or open surgery, what will be repaired, removed or replaced, and whether you'll have a regional nerve block, general anesthesia or both [1]. Most elbow surgeries are outpatient, so plan for a same-day visit and ask how to care for your incisions, control pain, use a sling, shower, sleep comfortably, and when you can drive or return to work [1].
Related Reading
Learn more in our guide to Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
Learn more in our guide to Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: Symptoms, Causes, and Relief.
Learn more in our guide to UCL Injury (Tommy John): Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Guide.
Elbow X-Ray: What It Shows, Views Taken and What to Expect explains the X-ray views used to check the elbow bones after an injury.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Elbow Surgery: Types, What To Expect & Recovery. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated January 29, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/elbow-surgery
Tsenkov T, Dimitrov N. A systematic review of elbow arthroscopy complications : Complications, risk factors, and safety tips. Int Orthop. 2022;46(5):1073-1083. PMID 35106672. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-022-05320-5
Chen HW, Ou S, Liu GD, et al. Clinical efficacy of simple decompression versus anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2014;126:150-155. PMID 25255159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2014.08.005
Coughlin RP, Gohal C, Horner NS, et al. Return to Play and In-Game Performance Statistics Among Pitchers After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow: A Systematic Review. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(8):2003-2010. PMID 30289275. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546518798768
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor about your own diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care right away for severe or sudden symptoms.
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