Open arthrolysis of the elbow
Clear answers
Understand your next steps
Your consultant will take time to understand your symptoms and talk you through what may help.
Care shaped around you
Focused on your goals
Your care will reflect your journey and the everyday activities you’d like to get back to.
Support after surgery
A guided recovery
You’ll have clear, practical support to help you move your elbow safely and build confidence as you recover.
Open arthrolysis of the elbow overview
Elbow release surgery, also called open arthrolysis, is an operation that can help improve movement in a very stiff elbow. Your consultant may recommend it if other treatments haven’t helped enough and stiffness is getting in the way of everyday activities. During the operation, your surgeon releases tight scar tissue and removes any extra bone that is blocking movement in the joint. Elbow stiffness can develop after an injury (like an elbow dislocation) or after a previous operation, including elbow fracture repair. Arthritis can also make it harder to fully bend or straighten your arm.
How is surgery carried out?
The operation is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep. You may also have an injection around your elbow to numb the area and help keep you comfortable afterwards.
Open arthrolysis of the elbow isn’t keyhole surgery. Your surgeon makes an incision so they can see and reach the areas that need treatment. They’ll release tight scar tissue and the joint capsule – the strong tissue surrounding your elbow. They can also remove any bone that is blocking movement.
Before finishing the operation, your surgeon will check how freely your elbow moves. You’ll usually start carefully guided exercises soon afterwards to help maintain this movement as your elbow heals.
Are there any risks?
Every operation carries some risk, but your surgical team will take careful steps to reduce the chance of complications.
Possible risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood collecting around the joint
- Problems with wound healing
- Numbness, tingling or weakness caused by irritation to a nearby nerve
- New bone forming around the joint
- Stiffness returning after surgery
- Less improvement in movement than expected
- Elbow instability
- A fracture
- A blood clot
- A reaction to the anaesthetic
Your specialist will explain which risks are most relevant to you and give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions before you decide whether to go ahead.
Recovery from open arthrolysis of the elbow
Starting gentle movement
You’ll usually stay in hospital for at least one night. Most people can start carefully bending and straightening their elbow soon after surgery, with suitable pain relief and help from a physiotherapist. Tasks such as eating or getting dressed may feel manageable within a couple of days. Your physiotherapist may give you a brace or sling for comfort.
Keeping your elbow flexible
You’ll usually have a physiotherapy follow-up within the first week. Short, regular exercises can help you maintain the movement gained during surgery and reduce the chance of stiffness returning. You shouldn’t force your elbow or push through severe pain, as this may increase swelling.
Building strength for daily life
As movement becomes easier, your physiotherapist may introduce light resistance exercises and help you build towards more demanding everyday activities. You can think about driving again once you have enough movement and strength to control the vehicle safely. Returning to physical work or sport will depend on your progress and what those activities involve, and your elbow may continue to improve over the months that follow.
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Open arthrolysis of the elbow FAQs
Open surgery may be recommended when your elbow is very stiff or when bone and scar tissue would be difficult to reach safely through keyhole surgery. It gives your surgeon direct access to release tight areas and remove anything blocking the joint.
It isn’t always possible to restore full movement, but surgery aims to make your elbow more flexible and everyday tasks easier. What you can expect will depend on the cause of your stiffness and the joint’s condition. Your specialist will discuss this with you before treatment.
Physiotherapy is an important part of your rehabilitation. You’ll usually begin carefully guided movement soon after the operation to help maintain the flexibility gained during surgery.
There’s a chance that some stiffness may return as your elbow heals. Following your exercise plan and attending physiotherapy sessions can help you protect your progress.
Returning to work will depend on your role and how your elbow is recovering. You may return to desk-based work sooner, while a physical job could require more time. Your care team will help you plan a safe return.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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