Elbow Arthritis
Elbow Arthritis in San Antonio, TX
Elbow stiffness, aching and a grinding or catching feeling can make it hard to straighten your arm, carry groceries or reach your face. Elbow arthritis is less common than arthritis in the hip or knee, but it can significantly affect how you use your arm.
Travis C. Burns, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in San Antonio, TX, with fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine. You can schedule an evaluation at his Medical Center, Alamo Heights or Westover Hills office to discuss your elbow symptoms and the options that may fit your goals.
What Is Elbow Arthritis?
Elbow arthritis is wear or damage to the smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in your elbow joint. The elbow is where your upper arm bone (humerus) meets the two forearm bones (radius and ulna). When the cartilage breaks down, the bones may rub, bone spurs can form, and the joint becomes painful and stiff.
Types and Causes of Elbow Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear, often related to heavy use, manual labor or sports
- Post-traumatic arthritis: Damage that develops after an elbow fracture or dislocation
- Inflammatory arthritis: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis that affect the joint lining
- Other causes: Prior infection or other joint conditions
Symptoms of Elbow Arthritis
Symptoms may include:
- Pain, especially at the end of bending or straightening your elbow
- Stiffness and loss of motion
- Grinding, clicking or catching
- Locking of the elbow from loose pieces of bone or cartilage
- Swelling
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, if the ulnar nerve is irritated
How Elbow Arthritis Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis usually includes a review of your symptoms, past injuries and activities, and an exam of your elbow's motion, stability and nerves. X-rays show joint space narrowing and bone spurs, and CT or MRI may help plan treatment by showing bone spurs, loose bodies and cartilage. Blood tests may be used if inflammatory arthritis is suspected.
Nonsurgical Options to Try First
Nonsurgical care is usually tried first. Options may include:
- Activity changes to limit painful lifting and repetitive use
- Anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate
- Physical therapy to maintain motion and strength
- Ice or heat
- Injections in some patients
- Treatment of an underlying inflammatory condition with your primary physician or rheumatologist
When Surgery May Be Recommended
Surgery may be considered when pain, stiffness or locking continues despite nonsurgical treatment and limits your work or daily life.
Surgical Options That May Be Considered
Options depend on the stage of arthritis and your goals. They may include arthroscopic procedures to remove bone spurs and loose bodies and release a tight joint capsule, open procedures to improve motion, and, for advanced arthritis in selected patients, elbow replacement or other reconstructive options.
Recovery
With nonsurgical care, the goal is to manage symptoms and keep your elbow moving. After surgery, early motion is often important to prevent stiffness, followed by therapy to rebuild strength. Lifting restrictions may apply, especially after replacement. See the Postoperative Instructions and Physical Therapy Protocols pages.
Why Choose Dr. Burns for Elbow Arthritis in San Antonio, TX?
Travis C. Burns, MD is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty fellowship training in orthopedic sports medicine through the John A. Feagin, Jr. Sports Medicine Fellowship. His practice centers on arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, hip and knee, which gives him a sports medicine perspective on how injuries affect your activity, work and daily life.
Dr. Burns previously served as Chief of Sports Medicine at San Antonio Military Medical Center, where his clinical focus was complex shoulder, hip and knee injuries. He has been active in research and academic medicine, including more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. You can meet with him at the Medical Center, Alamo Heights or Westover Hills office, depending on what is most convenient for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Arthritis
What is elbow arthritis?
Elbow arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in your elbow joint, which causes pain, stiffness and sometimes grinding or locking.
What causes elbow arthritis?
The most common causes are wear and tear, a past elbow injury and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Can elbow arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes, in many cases. Activity changes, medication, therapy and injections may help manage your symptoms.
Why does my elbow lock or catch?
Locking often comes from loose pieces of bone or cartilage or from bone spurs catching as the joint moves.
Is elbow replacement an option?
For some patients with advanced arthritis, yes. It is generally reserved for selected patients because of lifting limits afterward.
Request an Appointment
If elbow pain and stiffness are limiting your daily activities, an evaluation can help you understand your options. Request an appointment in San Antonio with Dr. Burns at the Medical Center, Alamo Heights or Westover Hills office to discuss your elbow arthritis options. You can call (210) 705-5060 to schedule a visit.
