Elbow Arthritis
Elbow arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage that covers and cushions the ends of the bones in the elbow joint becomes damaged or worn away. As the cartilage deteriorates, the joint surfaces become rough and may rub against one another, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion.
Although elbow arthritis is less common than arthritis of the hip or knee, it can significantly affect everyday activities, work, exercise, and sports. Treatment depends on the type and severity of arthritis, the patient’s age and activity level, and how much the symptoms interfere with daily life.
Causes of Elbow Arthritis
Several different conditions can lead to arthritis of the elbow:
Osteoarthritis
Often called “wear-and-tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis develops as the cartilage in the elbow gradually breaks down. It is more common in people with a history of heavy physical work, repetitive use of the arm, throwing sports, or previous elbow injuries.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Arthritis may develop years after an elbow fracture, dislocation, or other significant injury. Even when an injury heals appropriately, damage to the cartilage or changes in joint alignment can lead to arthritis over time.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the joint lining and progressive damage to cartilage and bone. Inflammatory arthritis often affects multiple joints and may involve both elbows.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of elbow arthritis vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:
- Pain with movement or activity
- Stiffness and decreased range of motion
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening the elbow
- Swelling around the joint
- Grinding, catching, clicking, or locking sensations
- Pain at rest or at night in more advanced cases
- Weakness or difficulty with lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers if the nearby ulnar nerve becomes irritated
Some patients experience relatively little pain but significant stiffness, while others may have persistent discomfort that interferes with work, sports, sleep, or everyday activities.
Nonoperative Treatment Options
Most patients with elbow arthritis begin with nonsurgical treatment. The goal is to reduce pain and inflammation, preserve motion, and allow patients to remain as active as possible.
Treatment options may include:
- Activity Modification: Avoiding or adjusting activities that repeatedly aggravate the elbow, particularly heavy lifting, forceful pushing or pulling, and repetitive impact.
- Medications: Over-the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications may help decrease pain and inflammation when medically appropriate. Topical anti-inflammatory medications, such as diclofenac gel (Voltaren), may also provide relief for some patients.
- Physical or Occupational Therapy: Specific exercises can help maintain or improve elbow motion, strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, and improve overall arm function.
- Bracing or Splinting: In selected cases, a brace or splint may help support the elbow or reduce symptoms during certain activities.
- Corticosteroid Injections: A cortisone injection into the elbow joint may temporarily reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
- Other Injection Treatments: Depending on the individual patient and type of arthritis, additional treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be considered. The effectiveness of these treatments can vary, and they may not be appropriate for every patient.
Operative Treatment Options
Surgery may be considered when pain, stiffness, or loss of function continues despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment and significantly interferes with a patient’s quality of life. The type of surgery depends on the severity and location of the arthritis, the patient’s age and activity level, and individual treatment goals.
Surgical options may include:
- Elbow Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions. The surgeon may remove loose bodies, inflamed tissue, bone spurs, or other structures that cause pain, catching, or limited motion.
- Open Debridement and Contracture Release: In patients with more extensive bone spurs or severe stiffness, an open procedure may be performed to remove damaged tissue and improve elbow motion.
- Interposition Arthroplasty: In selected younger or more active patients with advanced arthritis, tissue may be placed between damaged joint surfaces to reduce painful bone-on-bone contact while preserving some joint function.
- Total Elbow Replacement: For severe arthritis with significant pain and joint destruction, the damaged portions of the elbow joint may be replaced with artificial components. This procedure is most commonly considered for older or lower-demand patients and typically requires permanent limitations on heavy lifting.
- Other Reconstructive Procedures: In certain cases, additional surgical procedures may be recommended based on the patient’s anatomy, previous injuries, nerve symptoms, and specific pattern of joint damage.
When to See an Orthopedic Specialist
Consider an orthopedic evaluation if elbow pain, stiffness, swelling, locking, or loss of motion persists, worsens, or begins to interfere with work, exercise, sports, sleep, or everyday activities.
At Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance, our orthopedic specialists evaluate the cause and severity of elbow arthritis and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms, activity level, and goals. Our goal is to relieve pain, preserve or restore function, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
Schedule Your Elbow Arthritis Consultation
If you are experiencing elbow pain, stiffness, or loss of motion, contact Midwest Orthopedic and Musculoskeletal Alliance today at 414-384-6700 to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists to discuss diagnostic testing and potential treatment options.