Arthritis is a common medical problem for many Americans. In fact, more than 50 million Americans have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and millions more may have arthritis that hasn’t yet been diagnosed.
Arthritis can affect any joint in your body, including your elbows. Thomas E. Powell, MD, and the Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team offer state-of-the-art treatment for elbow arthritis, helping patients of all ages enjoy greater comfort and a better quality of life. Here’s what our team wants you to know about elbow arthritis symptoms and treatment.
Arthritis is a degenerative condition that happens when the joint’s protective layer of cartilage wears down. Typically, a healthy layer of cartilage helps your joints move smoothly and without friction. But as the cartilage wears away, friction increases as does inflammation and pain.
Many people associate arthritis with older age. While years of wear and tear on your joints can increase your risk of developing arthritis, it can affect younger people, too — particularly very active people. Prior joint injury can also cause arthritis symptoms.
Arthritis is especially common in the knees and hips, which are weight-bearing joints exposed to both movement and pressure. Elbows are another common site, especially for people who use their arms frequently or perform repetitive tasks like athletes and manual laborers.
In its early stages, arthritis causes few symptoms. You may have some stiffness or mild discomfort after strenuous activity or following a night’s sleep when your arm is immobile for hours at a time.
As the disease progresses, pain intensifies, too. Other symptoms include joint stiffness, warmth, swelling, and clicking or “sticking” sensations when bending the joint. Without treatment, symptoms get worse over time. They may be worse when you lift objects or perform other tasks using your hands or arms, like brushing your hair.
Early on, elbow arthritis typically responds well to pain medication, physical therapy, and hot-and-cold therapy. Our therapists develop custom therapy plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, lifestyles, activity levels, and other factors for optimal results.
Some people have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joint components, causing inflammation and cartilage destruction. For RA, we may prescribe special medications to prevent the abnormal immune response, slow down joint damage, and help RA go into remission.
When joint damage is extensive, surgery may be the best option for repairing joint damage or replacing the joint entirely. After joint surgery, physical therapy helps to restore joint strength and function.
Elbow arthritis responds best when it’s treated early. If you’re having elbow arthritis symptoms, don’t delay care. To learn how we can help, call 205-606-5232 or request an appointment online with Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. today.
