elbow arthris--RA-anyone??

[Guest guest]

Hi Don and All,

> From: donbrndo@...

> I have had RA for over 35 years and my left elbow is very bad for the last

10

> years or so. It's almost out of joint, mobility is very limited but

doctors

> have told me to try to hold off getting it repaired. I get the impression

they

> are not happy with the success rate of elbow surgery. Besides I have other

> joints that are more in need of surgery. Left hip needs to be replaced

again and

> next will be my right knee for the second time. Maybe after that I can

think

> about my elbow. Don

I was told to hold off on getting my right one replaced because of my

age. The surgeon

said they last about 10 years. I was told in 1987 (at age 28) that both my

new knee

replacements would last about 7 years and I had them till this past year and

they were

in for 17 years, so go figure! I know they don't replace elbow joints like

they do hips

and knees but they do it. This guy I saw said he had done the surgery twice

himself.

I'm getting a nerve moved in my elbow in December to keep my fingers from

going to sleep.

Hope this helps.

Best Wishes, Dodie