Arthritis
Description/Cause:
References:
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Post traumatic arthritis
- Hemophiliac arthropathy
- Synovial chondromatosis
- Post infectious arthropathy
- Degenerative OA of the elbow is not common and occurs in less than 2% of the population
- More common in individuals involved in heavy manual labor
- Between 20 and 50% of patients with RA have elbow involvement
- Post traumatic arthritis is less common and is usually a younger patient
- Pain - worst in the morning
- Limited ROM
- Weakness
- Joint swelling with RA
- SF-36
- NSAIDs
- Activity modification and pain control
- Stretching and ROM for maintenance of mobility
- Gentle strengthening exercises
- Elbow braces may provide comfort during flexion and extension avoiding varus and valgus stresses
- If these treatments don’t work, surgical intervention may be necessary
References:
- Kaback L, Green A, Blaine T. Elbow Arthritis and Total Elbow Replacement. Medicine & Health Rhode Island. April 2012;95(4):110-116. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA.
- Pollard B, Johnston M, Dixon D. Exploring differential item functioning in the SF-36 by demographic, clinical, psychological and social factors in an osteoarthritis population. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. December 11, 2013;14:346. Ipswich, MA.
- Soojian M, Dwon Y. Elbow Arthritis. Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. 2007;65( 1 ):61-71.
Acknowledgements:
David Funk, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ethan Hunke, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Morgan Johnson, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ed Nheiu, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Lindsay Walczak, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Last edited: July 13, 2015