Arthritis of the elbow
What is elbow arthritis?
Arthritis is defined as the inflammation of one or more of your joints. It occurs when the cartilage between your joints breaks down, resulting in there no longer being a smooth gliding surface for the bones to move. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of movement.
The three most common forms of elbow arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common “wear-and-tear” form of arthritis. It develops gradually over time as the cartilage in the joint wears down. It is more common in people over the age of 50, particularly those who have performed heavy manual work, repetitive lifting, or previously injured their elbow.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. It commonly affects both elbows and can lead to pain, swelling, stiffness, and progressive joint damage if left untreated.
Post-traumatic arthritis can develop after a previous elbow injury such as a fracture, dislocation, or ligament injury. Even when injuries heal well, damage to the joint surface can increase the risk of arthritis developing later.
How do I know if I have arthritis of the elbow?
Symptoms of elbow arthritis often develop gradually and may worsen over time. Common symptoms include:
Pain during movement or activity
Stiffness, particularly after rest
Difficulty fully bending or straightening the elbow
Swelling around the joint
Grinding, clicking, or locking sensations
Weakness or reduced function of the arm
As arthritis progresses, some patients may notice pain even at rest or at night.
In more advanced cases, inflammation or bone spurs around the elbow can irritate the nearby ulnar nerve, causing numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers.
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis, for example, often causes prolonged morning stiffness and may affect multiple joints throughout the body.
How Ben can help?
Diagnosing elbow arthritis
Ben will typically be able to diagnose elbow arthritis and/or assess whether surgical intervention is required by examining the elbow joint and assessing range of motion, tenderness, swelling and/or joint instability. He will also check nerve function to understand if bone spurs or inflammation is present. Furthermore, he will usually order X-rays to learn more about the exact location and severity of your arthritis. Blood tests may also be necessary to determine which type of arthritis you have.
Treating elbow arthritis
Non-surgical treatment
There are a myriad of non-surgical treatments for elbow arthritis that will normally be recommended before surgical intervention. Usually these will be recommended by your GP and only once these treatments have been exhausted will a referral to Ben be necessary. These options include:
Medication
Splinting or bracing the elbow
Activity modification
Heat or ice therapy
Injections
Specific physiotherapy and strengthening exercises
For inflammatory forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, specialised medications prescribed by a rheumatologist may help slow disease progression and protect the joints.
The non-surgical treatment option/s recommended to you will be based on:
How far the arthritis has progressed
Your age, activity level and other medical conditions
Whether your dominant or non-dominant elbow is affected
Your personal goals, home support structure, and ability to understand the treatment and comply with a therapy program
Surgical treatment
Ben will usually recommend surgery if non-surgical treatments have failed to provide pain relief. Surgery will be different for every patient and will depend on the type and severity of the arthritis, your symptoms, your age, activity level, and how much damage is present within the joint. The tailored surgical approach will be explained to you by Ben during your consult.
There are a number of surgical options:
Keyhole Surgery (Arthroscopic Debridement) - This type of surgery is commonly used in the earlier stages of elbow arthritis. During this procedure, Ben will insert a small camera and specialised instruments through tiny incisions around the elbow.
The surgery is used to remove loose fragments of cartilage or bone, trim bone spurs, and clean out inflamed tissue within the joint. This can help improve movement, reduce catching or locking sensations, and relieve pain. Arthroscopic surgery is less invasive than open surgery and generally allows for a quicker recovery.
Open Debridement / Osteocapsular Arthroplasty - In patients with more advanced stiffness or larger bone spurs, an open procedure may be recommended. During this surgery, Ben will remove excess bone, scar tissue, and inflamed tissue from around the elbow joint to improve movement and reduce pain.
This procedure can be particularly helpful for patients who have difficulty fully bending or straightening the elbow due to arthritis.
Ulnar Nerve Decompression or Transposition - If the elbow arthritis is irritating the ulnar nerve, causing numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, Ben may suggest an operation that will reduce nerve pressure. In some cases, the nerve is moved to a safer position at the front of the elbow (called a transposition) to reduce irritation.
Total Elbow Replacement (Arthroplasty)- Total elbow replacement is usually reserved for patients with severe arthritis and significant pain that affects daily activities.
During this procedure, the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with artificial metal and plastic components designed to recreate the elbow joint. The aim is to reduce pain and improve movement and function.
Elbow replacement can provide excellent pain relief, particularly for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or advanced joint destruction. However, lifelong lifting restrictions are usually recommended to reduce wear on the replacement and lower the risk of loosening over time.
Elbow Fusion (Arthrodesis) - Elbow fusion is rarely required but may occasionally be recommended in younger patients with severe arthritis who are not suitable for joint replacement.
During this procedure, the joint surfaces are fused together so the elbow no longer moves. This eliminates the painful joint surfaces rubbing against each other and can provide reliable pain relief and strength.
Although elbow motion is lost, patients are still able to use their shoulder, wrist, and hand. The position of the fusion is carefully selected to allow the arm to remain functional for everyday activities.
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Ben operates at multiple hospitals across Melbourne’s bayside and peninsula region, including:
Linacre Private Hospital, Hampton
Peninsula Private Hospital, Langwarrin
Beleura Private Hospital, Mornington
He can discuss your preferences in person during your consultation.
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Ben will see you for a post-operative appointment usually 2 weeks after your surgery. During this appointment he will asses your wound and check that healing and mobility is progressing as expected. There will be no cost for this appointment.
As well as this, Ben will usually refer you to a physiotherapist, who focuses on rehabilitation after an injury, and will work with you to improve function of the affected area.
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You can usually start driving again 4-6 weeks after the operation. However, every surgery is different, so Ben will provide individualised advice as part of the initial consultation.