Risks associated with Elbow Arthrolysis

All surgical procedures have some element of risk attached.
The risks outlined below are the most common or most significant that have been reported.

Continued stiffness
It is usually possible to obtain an almost full range of motion by the end of the operation. It is very rare to keep this range by the end of the recovery period and there is often about a 10 degree loss of extension.

Infection: less than 0.1%
If an infection does occur it is usually superficial in the wounds and is easily treated with antibiotics
Rarely the infection can be deep inside the joint and this requires surgery to wash the joint out.

Nerve damage: 1%
The nerves which work the hand (radial, median and ulnar) lie very close to the elbow and it is possible to damage them during the operation. If this happens, most commonly it is just bruising and settles very rarely the damage is permanent.