Elbow Arthritis Treatment
Arthritis of the Elbow
Although the elbows do not bear weight, they play a crucial role in upper limb function. Therefore, even minor injury or disease affecting the elbow can cause pain and restrict arm movement. Arthritis is a common condition that affects the elbow joint.
Symptoms of Elbow Arthritis
- Elbow pain, especially with movement
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Swelling around the joint
- Tenderness to touch
- Grinding or clicking sensation during movement
- Weakness in the arm or elbow
Causes of Elbow Arthritis
Arthritis can occur at any age, but is more common in individuals over 40 years. The most frequent cause is wear and tear of the joint. Other contributing factors include traumatic injuries, fractures, and dislocations, which increase the risk of developing arthritis.
Types of Arthritis
Some of the most common types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis that affects the elderly. It causes the cartilage, the tissue that cushions and protects the ends of bones in a joint, to wear off, causing painful rubbing of the bones.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy joints, tissues, and organs. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, deformity, and loss of function in the joints.
- Post-traumatic arthritis develops after an injury to the elbow. The condition may develop years after the trauma, such as a fracture, severe sprain, or ligament tears.
- Psoriatic arthritis occurs in some people as a result of psoriasis, a scaling skin disorder.
Elbow Arthritis Diagnosis
Elbow arthritis is commonly diagnosed through an X-ray and a physical examination.
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Treatment for Elbow Arthritis
Treatment options for elbow arthritis include:
- Medications and steroid injections to relieve pain
- Activity modification and use of splints to reduce stress on the elbow
- Elbow Surgery if non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief
- Total elbow replacement is a surgical procedure that restores function and relieves pain by replacing damaged parts of the elbow joint with artificial components.
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