Dealing with arthritis in the elbow can be quite challenging. It’s not just about dealing with the pain. Elbow arthritis can also make everyday activities difficult. Fortunately, there are various treatments and strategies, including physical therapy, that can help you ease the symptoms of elbow arthritis and improve your quality of life.
What is arthritis in the elbow?
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints. Your joints are where two bones meet, allowing for movement. The elbow is a hinge joint, meaning it enables the arm to bend and straighten. When arthritis affects the elbow, it can cause pain, stiffness and swelling, which can make it more difficult and uncomfortable to move your arm.
There are different types of arthritis that can affect the elbow, for example:
- Osteoarthritis — This is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when the cartilage, which is the smooth surface that cushions the bones in the joint, wears down over time. Without this cushioning, bones start to rub against each other. This bone-on-bone rubbing causes pain and stiffness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis — Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. It causes inflammation that can damage the joint and lead to pain and swelling.
- Bone spurs — Sometimes, arthritis can cause the formation of bone spurs, small, bony projections that develop along the edges of bones. These spurs can cause pain and limit movement.
- Post-traumatic arthritis — This type of arthritis can develop after an injury to the elbow. If the elbow has been broken or severely bruised, the cartilage or bones may be damaged. This can cause arthritis in the affected joint later on. Even if the injury seems to heal well, the trauma can sometimes cause arthritis years later.
Symptoms of arthritis in the elbow
The symptoms of an arthritic elbow can vary depending on the type of arthritis and the severity of the condition. However, common symptoms of arthritis in the elbow can include:
- Pain — One of the most noticeable symptoms of an arthritic elbow is pain around the elbow joint. This pain can be sharp or dull and may get worse with movement or activity.
- Stiffness — The elbow may feel stiff, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity. This stiffness can make it hard to fully bend or straighten the arm.
- Swelling — Inflammation can cause the elbow to swell. You may notice that the area around the joint looks puffy or feels tender to the touch.
- Reduced range of motion — Arthritis can limit how much you can move your elbow. Reaching for an object or turning a doorknob can feel challenging instead of simple.
- Warmth and redness — The skin around your elbow may feel warm and look red, which is a sign of inflammation. It can be more noticeable with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Weakness — Over time, arthritis can make your muscles weaken. You may find it harder to do certain activities that require strength.
- Crepitus — Some people may experience a grating or crunching sensation in the affected elbow joint when they move it. This sound is called crepitus. It can be due to roughened cartilage surfaces rubbing together.
These symptoms can make it harder for you to do everyday tasks such as:
- Gripping objects
- Lifting
- Writing
While there isn’t currently a cure for arthritis, there are ways you can help manage this condition.
Treatments for elbow arthritis
Managing arthritis in your elbow can involve a combination of treatments and lifestyle changes. Some options you may use to help alleviate symptoms include:
- Medications — Several medications can help manage the symptoms of elbow arthritis, depending on the severity. Common medications for elbow arthritis include:
- Pain relievers — Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Always follow the dosage instructions and consult your health care provider if you have any concerns.
- Prescription medications — For more severe symptoms, your health care provider may prescribe stronger pain relievers or medications specifically designed to treat arthritis.
- Topical treatments — Creams or gels applied directly to the skin over the elbow can sometimes provide relief from pain.
- Physical therapy — Physical therapy is a valuable component for managing elbow arthritis. It can help improve your range of motion, reduce pain and strengthen the muscles surrounding your elbow joint.
- Heat and cold therapy — Heat and cold therapy can be effective in managing symptoms of elbow arthritis. Using a heating pad can help reduce stiffness and improve blood flow to the elbow joint. Using an ice pack or cold compress wrapped in a thin cloth can help reduce inflammation and pain, especially during a flare-up.
- Weight management — Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Carrying extra weight puts additional stress on your joints. Eating a balanced diet and staying active can help you manage your weight.
- Joint protection — Using supportive devices, like elbow braces or pads, can help protect your elbow and reduce strain. You can also modify daily activities to reduce stress on your joints.
- Regular exercise — Staying active can help manage arthritis. Low-impact exercise like swimming and cycling can be easier on your joints.
- Corticosteroid injections — These injections can provide relief from inflammation and pain. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that can be injected directly into the elbow joint. While they can offer relief, they are used for short-term management.
- Surgery — If other treatments aren’t effective and arthritis severely limits your daily activities, surgery may be recommended.
Physical therapy techniques that can help manage elbow arthritis pain
If you’re dealing with arthritis in your elbow, physical therapy can be a game-changer. A physical therapist can use different techniques to help you reduce pain, improve movement and make everyday tasks easier. Techniques your physical therapist may use in your personalized treatment plan can include:
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy is an umbrella term for a variety of hands-on techniques to reduce pain and improve how your elbow moves. Manual therapy techniques include:
- Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization involves your physical therapist moving your elbow joint with gentle, controlled movements to help loosen up the stiff joint. They may apply pressure or move the joint in specific directions to help improve its range of motion and decrease stiffness.
- Soft tissue mobilization — Soft tissue mobilization involves your physical therapist applying pressure to the soft tissue around your elbow with their hands. They will manipulate and knead the muscles and connective tissue to help relax tension, reduce swelling and improve circulation.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — IASTM techniques, like the Graston Technique®, use specialized tools to help address soft tissue restrictions and improve function. Your physical therapist will glide the tools over your skin, applying varying degrees of pressure. These techniques can help break down scar tissue to alleviate pain and improve range of motion.
- Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles around the elbow, improve flexibility and restore function. These exercises are a core part of physical therapy for arthritic elbows. Your physical therapist may recommend strengthening and stretching exercises. These exercises can be done in the clinic during your sessions or at home to boost the effectiveness of other physical therapy techniques.
- Dry needling — Dry needling is done by a certified practitioner who manually inserts thin, sterile needles into specific points in the muscle to relieve pain and improve function. It can be useful for addressing trigger points, which are tight, painful areas in the muscle.
- Electrical stimulation — In electrical stimulation, electrodes are placed on your skin around the affected area to deliver low-level electrical currents, blocking pain signals to the brain and relieving discomfort. Electrical stimulation can also help stimulate muscles, which can help strengthen them and reduce muscle atrophy around the elbow.
Physical therapy uses a combination of techniques, including the ones listed above and others, to help manage elbow arthritis pain and improve joint function. Your physical therapist will tailor these techniques to your specific needs, helping you to move more comfortably and live a more active life. Physical therapy and other treatment approaches are designed to work together, so you can achieve the best possible outcomes and feel better in your daily life.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find a caring partner to address your elbow arthritis pain
Need a partner to help you address your arthritic elbow? Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here for you.
We can help you find the in-person or virtual physical therapy that’s right for you, and even better, we’ll help you find a team of caring professionals who are ready to walk with you through your entire PT journey.
Contact us today to start getting the care you need.
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