Are bacterial infections common during elbow replacement surgery?

Any surgery has the : Risk of getting infected.

No, but does happen: Infections are a known complication of joint replacement and despite our better efforts, they still occur. Most patients are given antibiotics prior to surgery and the skin is prepped with bacterial killing solution. After surgery the wounds are covered to prevent contamination. An infection requires IV antibiotics and surgical washout. Sometimes the joint has to be removed to clear the infection.

No: Infections in total elbow arthroplasties exist. They occur about 3% of the time which is low but higher than other joint replacements.