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Elbow arthrosis – Cubital arthrosis

Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis of the elbow

Elbow arthrosis, also called cubital arthrosis, refers to degenerative wear and tear in the elbow joint. Osteoarthritis occurs less frequently in the elbow joint because it is subject to comparatively less stress than other joints. Therefore, osteoarthritis of the elbow is more often a consequence of previous injuries or diseases. It is nevertheless absolutely in need of treatment in order to avoid the chronification of pain and movement restrictions as well as further complaints due to the progression of the disease.

In the case of osteoarthritis in joints such as the elbow, we are happy to help you at the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost (OZMO). Our orthopedic specialists lead the way with state-of-the-art diagnostics and then provide you with the optimal treatment for cubital osteoarthritis. Call or write us a message for your elbow osteoarthritis treatment at OZMO.

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Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost - Ellenbogen - Erkrankungen

Table of Contents:

Cubital arthrosis: arthritis of the elbow joint

Symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis
Causes of elbow arthrosis

Diagnostics for osteoarthritis of the elbow
Orthopedic treatment for elbow osteoarthritis
Treatment of elbow osteoarthritis at the Orthopaedic Center Munich East

Cubital arthrosis: arthritis of the elbow joint

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that results from wear and tear of tissues such as cartilage. Osteoarthritis is less common in the elbow joint. However, it is no less painful as cubital arthrosis and is a hindrance to freedom of movement. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joint is overstressed due to excessive or incorrect loading and can no longer adequately fulfill its natural function. Depending on the extent of cartilage damage, the bones connected by the joint rub against each other with every movement. The result is pain and limited mobility.

Symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis in the elbow, as in other affected joints, are mainly pain and restricted movement. Sometimes affected patients also have a feeling of scratching or rubbing in the joint during movement because smooth gliding is no longer possible due to the missing cartilage. Joint noises may also occur.

Often, the elbow hurts in the resting position after weight-bearing or there is a start-up pain when starting movements. Swelling of the elbow or elbow stiffness continue to be among the symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis. Occasionally, a joint mouse can also occur in the context of elbow osteoarthritis. These are detached fragments of tissue that irritate the joint and interfere with mobility.

Causes of elbow arthrosis

The elbow is a joint that, for example, compared to the knees, is less stressed. Only the permanent stress caused by constant movements (e.g. work typical for the profession) can become a high load for the elbow joint. Accordingly, the occurrence of elbow arthrosis is more frequent in the case of incorrect and overloading than due to normal age-related influences.

In most cases, cubital osteoarthritis is a secondary condition that develops as an indirect result of previous joint disease or joint injury. These include bone fractures, a dislocation (luxation) or existing chronic diseases such as rheumatism or hemophilia.

Diagnostics for osteoarthritis of the elbow

For the diagnosis, the physician first examines the patient physically, while questions are asked to clarify the patient’s medical history. The beginning of the complaints and existing diseases as well as the measures and aids already used are discussed and linked to the results of the physical examination. After palpation, the orthopaedic surgeon determines which imaging modalities should support the diagnosis for elbow arthrosestrong>. This may be an X-ray examination or a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be considered. The imaging procedures provide indications of damage to the joint, the bone as well as the cartilage tissue in order to determine the specific cause of the complaints.

Differential diagnosis by an orthopedic specialist is also important when elbow osteoarthritis is suspected. Thus, the symptoms of different diseases can be similar and confused by the layman, for example, in the case of

Arthrofibrosis
Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s arm
rheumatoid arthritis

Once the specific diagnosis has been made, the specialist can prescribe the appropriate treatments, which in the best case can cure the elbow osteoarthritis or at least sustainably reduce the symptoms.

Orthopedic treatment for elbow osteoarthritis

Once osteoarthritis has occurred in the elbow, a complete cure is rarely possible, as degeneration of the joint substance is one of the defining characteristics of the disease. Accordingly, the progression must be prevented or at least significantly slowed down. However, depending on the severity, strengthening the surrounding musculature and training with physiotherapeutic exercises can promote mobility. Then the elbow arthrosis can sometimes be brought to a standstill without any symptoms at all.

Accordingly, after the earliest possible diagnosis, the important measures include treatment with conservative therapies. These include, for example, physiotherapy, electrotherapy, shock wave therapy, and heat or cold treatments. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications are prescribed as needed.

If the degeneration in the elbow due to osteoarthritis is already too advanced or if a joint mouse is involved, arthroscopy may be necessary as a minimally invasive operation to reduce the persistent discomfort. Joint bodies can be removed, damaged tissue ablated or roughened tissue areas smoothed out to allow the joint to move again without pain and without sliding. In individual cases, cartilage regenerative measures can be included. If all options for the treatment of elbow arthrosis have been exhausted, the last measure left is the use of a prosthesis in the form of an artificial elbow joint.

Treatment of elbow arthrosis at the Orthopaedic Center Munich East

Cubital arthrosis as a degenerative disease should receive the individually appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Contact us at the first symptoms of the elbow joint in order to initiate a targeted treatment through careful diagnostics and to prevent the progression of elbow arthrosis. At the Orthopaedic Center Munich East (OZMO) you will find an experienced partner for your health, where diagnostics are possible directly on site in the well-equipped practice rooms. Our experienced and competent orthopedic specialists are available to provide you with advice and assistance in order to offer the right treatment even for complex complaints and diseases.

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