Elbow Arthritis

Diagnosing Elbow Arthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of elbow pain, inflammation and weakness.

Signs & Symptoms

Common symptoms of elbow arthritis include:

• Elbow pain
• Grating or locking feeling in the elbow joint
• Limited range of motion in the elbow
• Stiffness
• Swelling

Diagnosis

In addition to a physical exam, we may use one or more imaging tests to diagnose elbow arthritis:

• Computed Tomography (CT) scan—to create detailed images of your elbow bones and soft tissue.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)—to create images that examine the inside of your elbow joint.
• X-ray—to get a closer look at your elbow bones and surrounding tissue.

Elbow Arthritis Treatment

Depending on the severity of your elbow arthritis, we may recommend surgical or nonsurgical treatment.

Nonsurgical Treatments

When possible, we recommend nonsurgical treatment options for elbow arthritis, including:

• Medications—to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Cold or heat therapy—to ease swelling and prepare the joint for activity.
• Cortisone injections—to reduce joint inflammation.
• Physical therapy—to improve the strength and range of motion of the elbow joint.

Surgical Treatments

In severe cases of elbow arthritis, surgery can relieve pain and improve mobility. Surgical treatments range from minimally invasive arthroscopy to a full elbow joint replacement.