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Orthopaedics · United Kingdom

Private elbow replacement in the UK, by a high-volume elbow surgeon.

Total elbow replacement is a low-volume UK procedure - around 1,500 a year, tracked by the National Joint Registry.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What a private elbow replacement costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner units.

In short

£15,000–£22,000, with a 2–4 night stay.

Procedure Indicative range
Consultant elbow surgeon consultation £250–£450
Total elbow replacement (linked) £16,000–£22,000
Total elbow replacement (unlinked) £15,000–£20,000
Distal humeral hemiarthroplasty £13,000–£18,000
Revision elbow replacement £22,000–£38,000
CT of elbow for templating £450–£700

Prices vary by unit, by which surgeon does the case, by the implant chosen (linked, unlinked, hemi or a custom tumour prosthesis) and by length of stay.

The problem

A low-volume operation deserves a high-volume surgeon.

Only about 1,500 elbow replacements happen in the UK each year. Revision rates are higher than hip or knee - and the difference between a good and a mediocre outcome is largely about who does it and whether they honestly should.

  • Told a replacement is the only option?

    Sometimes arthrolysis, debridement or the Outerbridge–Kashiwagi procedure buy years first. We say so before you commit to an implant.

  • Worried about the weight limit?

    It is real - around 2.5kg repeatedly, 5kg occasionally, for life. If that is a dealbreaker for your job, we tell you upfront.

When it helps

When an elbow replacement is the right step.

The indications we see most, one situation where a replacement is usually the wrong answer, and one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

    Historically the commonest indication - a painful, unstable, destroyed elbow in inflammatory disease responds well to a linked prosthesis.

  • Post-traumatic osteoarthritis

    A stiff, painful elbow after an old fracture or dislocation - arthroplasty when arthrolysis and debridement are no longer enough.

  • Distal humeral non-union or malunion

    A distal humeral fracture that failed to heal, or healed in a poor position, in a patient with modest demands.

  • Comminuted distal humeral fracture (>65)

    In an older patient with poor bone stock, primary replacement - total or hemiarthroplasty with Latitude EV - often beats ORIF.

  • Tumour reconstruction

    Segmental replacement after resection of a distal humeral or proximal ulnar tumour, usually with a custom or modular linked implant.

  • Failed prior elbow surgery

    Salvage after failed radial head replacement, interposition arthroplasty or ORIF - carefully staged, with revision principles.

  • Not usually - primary OA in a young patient

    A young manual worker with primary elbow OA is rarely a replacement candidate. Arthrolysis, debridement or the Outerbridge–Kashiwagi procedure come first.

  • Red flag: prosthetic joint infection

    A hot, swollen, discharging elbow after replacement is an emergency. Same-day A&E and orthopaedic review - do not wait for a routine clinic slot.

Prosthesis options

Linked, unlinked, or hemi - and sometimes none of the above.

What each option involves - and which fits which elbow. If arthrolysis or debridement is the smarter first step, we say so.

  • Coonrad–Morrey (linked)

    The reference linked semi-constrained device - a loose hinge that allows a few degrees of varus–valgus laxity. The default for rheumatoid and revision cases.

  • Nexel (linked)

    A modern linked design with a vitamin-E polyethylene bushing intended to reduce wear. Similar indications to Coonrad–Morrey.

  • Discovery (linked)

    A UK-common linked semi-constrained implant with modular options, used for RA and post-traumatic cases across BESS surgeons.

  • Kudo (unlinked)

    An unlinked resurfacing design - preserves bone and ligaments, but needs a competent ligament sleeve. Suits selected rheumatoid elbows.

  • Latitude (unlinked/convertible)

    A convertible system - starts unlinked and can be converted to linked at revision without removing well-fixed components.

  • Latitude EV hemiarthroplasty

    Distal humeral hemiarthroplasty for acute comminuted distal humeral fracture in the elderly - replaces the humerus only, preserving the native ulna and radial head.

  • Arthrolysis or debridement first

    For stiff post-traumatic elbows in younger patients, open or arthroscopic arthrolysis and debridement often buy years before a replacement is needed.

  • Consultation only

    An honest second opinion - whether a replacement is the right step at all, and if so, which prosthesis fits your elbow and your life.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Elbow replacement is a good operation in the right patient. The things worth planning are the lifetime weight limit, the six-week brace, and knowing what is normal - and what is not.

  • Lifetime weight limit - strict

    Roughly 2.5kg repeatedly and 5kg occasionally, for life. Ignore it and the components loosen sooner. We go through what that means for your job and hobbies.

  • NJR outcomes - honest numbers

    From the National Joint Registry, revision at 5 years sits around 5%, and at 10 years around 10–15%. Higher than hip or knee replacement, which is why patient selection matters.

  • Infection is the worst complication

    Deep prosthetic joint infection runs at roughly 2–5% - higher than hip or knee. Antibiotic prophylaxis, careful skin, and vigilant follow-up all matter.

  • Ulnar nerve is always at risk

    The ulnar nerve is identified and usually transposed anteriorly. A transient neuropraxia is common; a persistent deficit is uncommon but real.

  • Triceps insufficiency

    The triceps-off approach gives the surgeon more access; the triceps-on approach protects extension strength. Both are legitimate - the surgeon chooses per case.

  • Aseptic loosening and polyethylene wear

    Over time the polyethylene bushing wears and the cement–bone interface can loosen. Regular radiographs pick it up before it becomes symptomatic.

  • Periprosthetic fracture

    A fracture around the implant, usually after a fall. Prevention is falls-avoidance and honouring the weight limit; treatment is often complex revision surgery.

  • Revision options are limited

    Elbow revision is technically harder than hip or knee revision, with fewer implants available. This is why we push arthrolysis or debridement first in younger patients.

  • Red flags

    A hot, swollen, discharging wound, a sudden loss of extension, or a new fever after surgery are not normal - call the on-call team or attend A&E the same day.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever prosthesis was used, the note the surgeon sends you - and the NJR record - keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant elbow surgeon reviewing a patient’s post-operative radiographs

A quiet reminder

Orthopaedic language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note and your NJR entry before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and prosthesis chosen

    Why the replacement was done - rheumatoid, post-traumatic, fracture, tumour - and which implant (linked or unlinked, brand and size) was used.

  2. 02 Technique

    Approach, ulnar nerve, cementation

    Triceps-on or triceps-off, whether the ulnar nerve was transposed, cement used, and any bone grafting recorded on the op note.

  3. 03 Findings

    Intra-operative findings and stability

    Bone quality, ligament status, joint stability tested at the end of the case, and any incidental findings sent to the NJR.

  4. 04 Impression

    Rehab plan, weight limit, review

    Read this first: hinged brace protocol, physio milestones, the weight limit, and when you will be seen back for radiographs.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Elbow replacement is usually covered by UK health insurers when medically indicated.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about elbow replacement.

Straight answers on prosthesis choice, the weight limit, NJR outcomes and recovery.

  • What is a total elbow replacement?

    A total elbow replacement (TER) removes the arthritic surfaces of the humerus and ulna and replaces them with metal and polyethylene components, usually cemented. Most are linked semi-constrained designs (Coonrad–Morrey, Nexel, Discovery); some are unlinked (Kudo, Latitude). The operation is done via a posterior approach and the ulnar nerve is usually transposed.

  • Who needs an elbow replacement?

    Typical candidates are patients with rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, a distal humeral non-union or malunion, tumour reconstruction, or an elderly patient (over 65) with a comminuted distal humeral fracture where fixation is unlikely to succeed. Young patients with primary elbow OA are rarely candidates - arthrolysis and debridement come first.

  • How is a linked prosthesis different from an unlinked one?

    A linked semi-constrained implant (Coonrad–Morrey, Nexel, Discovery) has a loose hinge holding the humeral and ulnar parts together - the ligaments do not have to work. An unlinked implant (Kudo, Latitude) is a resurfacing that relies on intact ligaments and preserves more bone. Linked designs suit rheumatoid and unstable elbows; unlinked designs suit selected patients with a competent ligament sleeve.

  • What is the weight limit after an elbow replacement?

    Roughly 2.5kg for repetitive activity and 5kg for occasional lifting, for the rest of your life. This is strict - the implant is not designed for heavy loading and the components loosen if you exceed it. We go through what that means for your job, gardening, and holding grandchildren.

  • What are the risks and how often does it need revising?

    The main risks are infection (2–5%), ulnar neuropathy, triceps insufficiency, periprosthetic fracture, aseptic loosening, polyethylene wear and instability. National Joint Registry data show revision at around 5% at five years and 10–15% at ten years - higher than hip or knee replacement, and one reason patient selection matters so much.

  • What is a distal humeral hemiarthroplasty?

    A distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (usually with the Latitude EV) replaces only the humeral side of the joint, preserving the native ulna and radial head. It is used in acute comminuted distal humeral fractures in elderly patients where internal fixation is unlikely to work but a total replacement is not warranted.

  • What is the recovery like?

    You will spend 2–4 nights in hospital. A well-padded dressing holds the elbow in mid-flexion and physio starts on day one. A hinged elbow brace is worn for six weeks with physio-led range-of-motion work. Most people are driving again at 6–8 weeks and using the elbow normally (within the weight limit) at three months.

  • How much does a private elbow replacement cost in the UK?

    A primary total elbow replacement runs £15,000–£22,000 self-pay, including the surgeon, anaesthetist, implants, theatre, ward stay and follow-up. A distal humeral hemiarthroplasty is £13,000–£18,000. Revision surgery is £22,000–£38,000.

  • When should I be seen urgently?

    A hot, swollen or discharging wound, a sudden new fever, a sudden loss of extension or a fall onto the replaced elbow are all reasons to seek same-day medical help. Prosthetic joint infection needs urgent orthopaedic assessment - not a routine clinic slot.

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