Elbow Surgery and Direct Primary Care (DPC): Restoring Function, Personalized Care
If you have tennis elbow, broken bones, or arthritis that makes it hard for you to move your arm, elbow surgery can help. DPC makes sure that this surgery is done by professionals and with the right support.
Understanding Elbow Surgery: Getting the Right Amount of Pain-Free Movement
Elbow surgery treats problems like:
- Osteoarthritis: Arthroplasty (joint replacement).
- Tennis or golfer's elbow: surgery to fix the tendon (epicondylitis surgery).
- Fractures: ORIF (open reduction internal fixation).
- Cubital tunnel release for ulnar nerve entrapment.
Recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks (arthroscopy) to a few months (replacement).
Important information for patients:
- Uses: It helps with chronic pain, fixes deformities, and strengthens grip.
- Safety: Low risk; less than 5% of people get infections or stiffness.
- Costs: Traditional clinics charge between 10,000 USD and 30,000 USD. DPC lowers costs by offering bundled care.
Risks of waiting too long for treatment include:
- Permanent nerve damage or joint damage.
How DPC Changes the Way Elbow Surgery Is Done
Direct Primary Care (DPC) replaces disjointed orthopedic care with coordinated, patient-centered assistance.
1. Full Coordination Before Surgery
- Same-day imaging: X-rays or MRIs to check the alignment of the fracture or the severity of arthritis.
- Working together as surgeons: Work with specialists in the hand and upper body.
- Programs for prehab: Make the muscles in your forearm stronger to improve your post-op results.
2. Clear costs and full support
- Prices that include everything: As a member, you get pre-op labs, post-op PT, and follow-ups.
- Lower costs: DPC patients save 5,000 USD to 15,000 USD by getting lower rates for surgery.
- If surgery isn't necessary right away, you could talk about PRP injections or braces as other options.
3. Caring for yourself and staying mobile
- Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: If you suddenly swell, go numb, or have a wound, get help right away.
- Plans for rehab that are made just for you: With PT, you can go from passive motion to strength training.
- Preventive care: Suggest making ergonomic changes to avoid injuries from overuse.
Success Stories from Real Life
- Case 1: Emma, 40 years old, has chronic tennis elbow. Emma's DPC team did arthroscopic debridement, and she was able to paint again in 8 weeks.
- Case 2: John, 55 years old, broke his elbow in case 2. John's DPC provider set up ORIF, which brought back full extension in 12 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions: Elbow Surgery in DPC
- Q: When can I drive again after surgery?
- A: 2–4 weeks for the left elbow and 6 weeks for the right (if it's a manual transmission).
- Q: Do I need a cast?
- A: A splint for one to two weeks, then a brace that can be taken off. DPC makes sure it fits right.
- Q: Do nerve injuries happen often?
- A: Not very often. DPC keeps an eye out for signs of ulnar nerve problems and treats them right away.
- Q: Can DPC help with workers' compensation?
- A: Yes. Fill out all the paperwork and talk to your boss to make sure your recovery goes smoothly.
Why DPC is the best place for orthopedic care
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of moving around soon after surgery. DPC gives by:
- Cutting down on wait times: 90% of patients have surgery within 2 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks or more.
- Less stiffness: Aggressive PT cuts the number of frozen elbows in half.
- Members save between 8,000 USD and 20,000 USD by getting care in bundles and having fewer problems.
Final Thoughts
Elbow surgery isn't just about fixing a joint; it's also about getting back to living, working, and playing without limits. DPC gives you a partner who handles every step of the way, from diagnosis to rehab, to make sure you heal as quickly as possible. No problems with insurance or broken follow-ups—just caring professionals who help you bend, lift, and grab things again with confidence.
