The nerves that cross the elbow joint mainly go to the forearm and hand structures. The elbow joint is a crossing space for most of the nerves and blood vessels in the upper extremities of the body.

Designing a replacement joint posed special challenges. The elbow, Cook says ... touching forearms — the so-called Xena cross — might make more sense than knocking elbows.

Experts say the April 2016 surgery could transform treatment for trauma patients, injured veterans and others with elbow and joint conditions. "The fact that the donor elbow came from the same ...