Elbow Arthritis Injury
Elbow Arthritis (Osteoarthritis) is not a common elbow injury. Elbow Arthritis occurs most often secondary to trauma such as a broken elbow. Middle-aged men with the history of an elbow fracture are most often affected by Elbow Arthritis. Elbow pain is the most common symptom of Elbow Arthritis and there is often a grating noise that accompanies elbow joint movement. As Elbow Arthritis progresses, loose pieces of cartilage or bone may get jammed in the elbow joint and cause a restriction of movement.
An ice pack can be used to relieve a hot painful elbow joint. Ice packs can be applied for periods of twenty minutes every couple of hours (never apply ice directly to the skin as it can cause an ice burn). An Air-Cast CryoCuff can be used to provide continuous ice and compression to the elbow joint. Exercises to maintain forearm muscle strength are encouraged to provide support for the affected joint. This strengthening should be done under the supervision of a Registered Physiotherapist. Exercise Bands, Grip Strengtheners, Therapeutic Putty and Hand Therapy Balls can all be used to maintain grip strength and dexterity.
Common Elbow Arthritis signs & symptoms:
- Elbow Pain that is aggravated by activity.
- Elbow stiffness.
- Elbow locking and loss of elbow range of movement.
What you can do:
- Apply ice packs/cold therapy
- Apply compression to reduce pain & limit swelling
- Wear an Elbow Support
- Use Exercise Bands to maintain elbow strength
- Use Therapeutic Putty & Hand Therapy Balls for dexterity
- Consult a Registered Physiotherapist
