Conditions

Elbow Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a very common condition that can affect any joint in the body. Although it is less common in the elbow than in joints such as the knees or hips, it can still occur, particularly as we get older or after a previous elbow injury.

Everyone's joints go through a normal process of wear and repair throughout life. As joints repair themselves, their shape and structure can gradually change. These changes are a normal part of ageing and do not always cause pain. The cartilage in the joint may become thinner and the surfaces of the joint may become rougher. If this happens in one or more of your joints, it’s known as osteoarthritis.

What Causes It?

Elbow osteoarthritis can happen for several reasons:

Getting older (osteoarthritis becomes more common from around the age of 45)
Carrying excess body weight
A family history of osteoarthritis
Previous injury - like elbow fractures or dislocations
Smoking – linked to slower healing and poorer joint health

What Are the Signs and Symptoms?

Symptoms often fluctuate. You may have good days and bad days, or even good and bad months. Flare-ups are common and don't necessarily mean your arthritis is getting worse.

Common symptoms include:

Pain – Often worse during or after activity.
Stiffness – Especially after resting or in the morning.
Swelling – The joint may look puffy or feel sore.
Tenderness – The area around the joint may be sensitive to touch.
Clicking, grinding or crunching sensations
Reduced movement – It may be harder to fully bend or straighten your arm.
The arm may feel weaker, often because pain makes it harder to use normally
Everyday activities such as lifting, carrying, gripping or opening jars may become more difficult

Steps to take to recovery

There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are things you can do for yourself that can make a difference to how the condition affects you. There are also some treatments available that could significantly reduce your pain and improve your mobility. It’s likely that you’ll need to use a combination of different things to get the best results.

Self-Management

Activity Modification

If symptoms have recently worsened, it may be worth moderating your activities initially to allow symptoms to settle. Trying to get a balance between rest and activity can help your pain to settle down. Taking regular breaks may make things more manageable.

Pain Relief

Over-the-counter medicines: Over-the-counter pain relief may help you stay active. Always follow the advice provided with the medicine.

Topical creams: Some people find topical creams or gels helpful for short-term relief of pain and stiffness.

It is important to check whether you can take these medicines. If you are unsure whether you can take these medicines, speak to a pharmacist or another healthcare professional.

Exercises

Stretching and strengthening can help keep your elbow flexible and strong.

See Arthritis UK Elbow Exercises for a structured programme

Heat or cold packs

Some patients find this helpful to reduce their pain. If you have had a recent injury it may help to apply an ice or cold pack (15-20 minutes a few times a day in the initial 48 hours). If you have a longer-standing issue then heat packs may help soothe some of your pain. Wrap ice or heat packs in a towel and do not place them directly onto your skin to avoid ice or heat burns.

Further Treatment

Physiotherapy

If your symptoms aren't improving or you feel you need more help, then please refer yourself to physiotherapy. We will assess your symptoms and work with you to develop a treatment plan. You can have one-to-one physiotherapy and have access to our gym classes. We can also refer you to other services to access other treatments listed below if appropriate.

Injections

In some cases, injections may reduce severe inflammation and pain for a period. Sometimes used when pain limits progress with exercise. It is not an appropriate option for everyone.

Surgery

There are various different operations available for elbow osteoarthritis. If surgery was required, a surgeon would determine the operation. This is not an appropriate option for everyone. Your physiotherapist would discuss your referral options with you if required.

Although osteoarthritic changes within the joint can’t be cured, symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis can be improved with a combination of the above treatment options.

Lifestyle factors that influence health

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition and is influenced by our overall health. Age, weight, smoking, diabetes and even long-term stress can all influence osteoarthritis symptoms. Improving general health, staying active, and addressing lifestyle factors can help improve symptoms. More support with health and lifestyle factors can be found on our Your Musculoskeletal Health webpage.

When to seek further advice

Some elbow problems need urgent medical assessment rather than physiotherapy. Please read the information below.

This information may not be appropriate for you if you have any of the following:

A recent injury or fall that has caused severe pain or a sudden loss of movement.
You cannot move your elbow after a fall or injury.
Your elbow is hot, red or swollen, especially if you also have a fever or feel generally unwell.
You felt or heard a pop while lifting something heavy and noticed a sudden change in the shape of your arm.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact NHS 111 as soon as possible for advice.