Question
My right elbow causes pain with certain types of movement (picking up a pencil, coffee, etc) , simple movements that don't amount to much.  My doctor found a cyst and referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, who wants to replace the elbow.  I am opposed to this radical procedure, inasmuch as my elbow has been painful for the last year, increasing daily it seems, and the left elbow has no pain.  I've been on minocin antibiotic therapy for the last 7 years and my arthritis has progressed moderately, and I feel that the cyst should be treated without replacing the elbow.  I've gotten to the point that I now favor using my left appendage, to not invoke pain, but I still use my right appendage to do things like shift the gears in my Miata.
What do you think?

Thanks for you comments in advance.

Bill Burns

Answer
Bill,

Does he want to do surgery and replace the elbow because of the cyst or is there also arthritis in the elbow. I find it hard to imagine that any surgeon would recommend that radical a surgery for a cyst. A second opinion is definitely in order. You might also ask the current orthopedic surgeon what is the justification for the surgery. Even if there is significant arthritis I would opt for removing the cyst and seeing what that result was before having the joint replaced. It could also be that the growth of the cyst has done other damage or the surgeon sees other damage around the cyst. It this is so he or she needs to explain the to you.

I wish you well,

Rusty
http://arthritis-symptom.com