The elbow joint is affected due to the fact that the cartilage within the elbow is worn out or damaged. The damage can result from excessive use because of old age and repetitive actions or due to injuries, like fractures or dislocations.
The elbow joint can be extremely uncomfortable and cause difficulty in daily activities that require the arm to be bent. If you’re suffering from arthritis in your elbow and you are in need of treatment, an orthopaedic doctor can ease your pain and help restore maximal elbow functionality.
At Penn Orthopaedics we treat each kind of elbow arthritis, including:
- Osteoarthritis: The least commonly encountered kind that affects the joints of your elbow. It usually occurs as an outcome of repetitive use or an injury, such as fracture or dislocation.
- Post-traumatic arthritis Arthritis is the result of an elbow injury, which results in inflammation.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: The most frequent kind of joint arthritis. The condition is an immune disorder that causes the body to attack the joint tissues, leading to swelling and injury. The elbows and both are frequently affected.
Elbow Arthritis Signs and symptoms
It is possible to develop elbow arthritis If you have some of the signs:
- Elbow discomfort
- Cracking, popping, or grinding in the joint of the elbow
- Stiffness or a reduced range of motion
- Swelling
- The redness, warmth, and tenderness in the elbow joint.
Diagnosing Elbow Arthritis
We utilize the most up-to-date diagnostic tests and instruments to determine the cause of elbow arthritis. If you’re being examined for elbow arthritis the best orthopedic doctor in Mumbai will examine the symptoms you are experiencing, look at your elbow, ask about recent injuries or illnesses and obtain a thorough medical background.
If additional tests are needed An orthopaedic surgeon can request these advanced tests for imaging and instruments:
- X-ray
- MRI
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
- CT scan
Treatment for elbow arthritis
In the majority of cases of joint arthritis, Orthopaedic doctors will initially try more conservative treatment options that have been shown to ease elbow joint pain and improve elbow functionality. The treatment plan for you is based on your personal requirements and objectives for treatment. Many patients with arthritis of the elbow have positive results by implementing easy, non-invasive treatments.
Nonsurgical treatment for elbow arthritis can include:
- Modification of activity
- Corticosteroid injections
- The application of heat or ice to the elbow inflamed
- Anti-inflammatory or pain medication
- Patient education about symptom management
If these options don’t provide enough relief surgical intervention may be the best option for treating your elbow arthritis. We provide the most advanced minimally invasive surgical methods for treating elbow arthritis. Your orthopaedic surgeon will go over these options with you.
Elbow Arthritis Surgery
You could be a good candidate for elbow arthritis surgery If your pain from elbow arthritis hinders your everyday activities and the conventional therapies don’t bring relief. Your orthopaedic physician and you will decide if surgery is the best choice for you. We provide the most recent advancements in surgical procedures that can restore the elbow to its fullest function and ease discomfort. This includes advanced arthroscopic procedures and total elbow replacement and soft-tissue reconstruction of tendons muscles and ligaments.
Based on the severity of the elbow arthritis you suffer, your doctor might recommend one or more of the following procedures:
Advanced Arthroscopic Techniques for Treating Elbow Arthritis
Arthroscopic procedures are minimally invasive procedures that require cutting a tiny incision into the elbow and then inserting an instrument with a thin, flexible design known as an arthroscope. The arthroscope features a tiny lens and a bright light that permit the surgeon to observe the joints, bones and soft tissues of the elbow. The surgeon can repair and rebuild elements of the elbow, and also remove inflamed and damaged tissues through this tiny cut. Arthroscopic procedures allow for lesser scarring and discomfort and speedier healing times.
Total Elbow Replacement
We have a wealth of experience in the procedure of total elbow replacement in order to restore mobility for people suffering from osteoarthritis in their elbow. In a total replacement of the elbow, it is the entire elbow, which includes the ulna and the humerus is replaced using artificial parts. Surgery to replace the elbow is complex and is done in two methods: “linked” and “unlinked.”
The “Linked ” method inserts an artificial stem within the humerus. A second stem is then inserted into the ulna. The surgeons connect both stems by an elongated hinge for more function and a greater range of movement.
The “unlinked” technique is a viable option for those with healthier elbow soft tissues. An “unlinked” replacement for the elbow is not required to have hinges since these two stems will be linked using tendons, ligaments, and muscles in good health.
Physical therapy is vital because it assists in maintaining mobility and reduces swelling. Total elbow replacements can lead to the restoration of mobility and substantially reduces pain, leading to greater quality of life. Also, Specialists in pain management work with your best physiotherapist in Mumbai to dramatically minimize or eliminate pain and return your elbow to fully functional as quickly as possible
Elbow Arthritis Surgery Rehabilitation
Following surgery, your arm could be placed in a cast or splint for a period of time. The doctor may recommend that you cool as well as elevate the elbow following surgery to lessen swelling and pain. Our program for pain management offers the most recent techniques to reduce the requirement for opioids. Based on your specific situation and the kind of surgery you’ve had the doctor might recommend that you start physical therapy to increase your range of motion as well as function, and help prevent stiffness of the elbow joint.