What is elbow arthritis? Elbow arthritis occurs when the surface of the cartilage of the elbow joint is worn or damaged. This can be caused by previous injuries such as a sprain or fracture of the elbow. Coordinated and connected to each other are strong .... for this reason, the elbow joint can withstand many forces without causing instability .... Anatomy of the elbow The elbow is a hinge joint consisting of three bones: - humerus - lower ulna - next to the little finger of the forearm - Ulna (radius) Zubrin - next to the thumb of the forearm The surfaces of the bones where they contact each other are covered by articular cartilage... a smooth and slippery substance that protects the bones and makes them easy to move... A thin and smooth tissue called the synovial membrane also covers all other surfaces inside the elbow joint... In a healthy elbow, this membrane secretes a small amount of fluid that lubricates the cartilage and practically eliminates kinetic friction... Description of the disease They hold each other... Elbow arthritis is an arthritis related to ageing, which is caused by the erosion of cartilage. This disease usually occurs in people over 50 years old, but it can also affect younger people. Some people who develop elbow arthritis have a history of injury to the elbow, such as a joint surface fracture or elbow dislocation... Factors that increase the risk of elbow arthritis include: - The need for surgery to repair the damage or reconstruct the joint - Loss of articular cartilage - Irreparability of the joint surface to its original state - Damage to the ligaments and creating instability in the elbow, which even if the joint surface remains healthy, changes the natural forces and increases the rate of joint destruction... In some cases, no specific damage is caused... But heavy activities or work can cause elbow arthritis, if too much pressure is applied to the joint.. For example, athletes such as professional baseball pitchers put a lot of stress on the elbow and the stabilizing ligaments may be damaged.. In this case, reconstructive surgery is sometimes required.... High shear forces also cause cartilage erosion over the years.... Prevention The best way to prevent elbow arthritis is to prevent injury to the joint.... If you have an injury, you must immediately diagnose the problem and receive the appropriate treatment.... People who are involved in heavy work or sports activities should maintain the muscle strength of the elbow area and always exercise and have the correct technique.... Symptoms of elbow arthritis The most common symptoms of elbow arthritis are: - pain - Decreased range of motion These symptoms may not occur at the same time.. Most patients have a feeling of rubbing or locking in the elbow.. - Locking of the joint is caused by the separation of a piece of cartilage or bone inside the joint and jamming between the movement surfaces, which prevents movement. The diagnosis of elbow arthritis by Dr. Homan Cookby is usually based on the patient's symptoms and a simple radiograph (X-Ray). Radiographs show arthritis changes and usually do not require advanced imaging such as a CT scan or MRI. Elbow arthritis without previous injury is more common in men. It usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50 or older, but some patients may experience symptoms earlier. Treatment methods. depends on: - Stage of disease progression - History of previous elbow injury - Patient's wishes - The general state of health of the patient - Results of radiology and other tests ### Non-surgical treatment In the early stages of elbow osteoarthritis, the most common treatment includes non-surgical measures, including: - Oral medications to reduce or relieve pain - Physiotherapy - Modification of activities Corticosteroid injections: These injections can temporarily improve pain in some patients, but their effect is short-term and not effective in all patients.. ### Surgical treatment If non-surgical measures are not effective, surgery can help. When arthritis is evident on radiographs, it means that there is significant destruction or wear and tear on the surface of the joint. Even if the destruction and bone spurs are severe, arthroscopy (minimally invasive joint surgery) can increase range of motion and reduce pain. Incisions.. to remove loose fragments of bone/cartilage or inflammatory/degenerative tissue, to smooth irregular surfaces and remove bone spurs... The recovery period after arthroscopy is usually short... If the articular cartilage is completely worn away, only elbow replacement can be effective... There are several types of elbow prostheses... In appropriately selected patients, there is an impressive improvement in elbow pain and function after surgery.. However, in lifting There are limitations with heavy objects operated on by the hand (usually no more than 2-5 kg should be lifted), so the decision to undergo a total elbow replacement must be made carefully... There are other surgical options for young or active patients for whom joint replacement is not appropriate. If decreased range of motion is the main problem, sometimes the surgeon can correct the underlying problem. Tissues can be used to create a new surface. The methods can partially improve the patient's symptoms and function... ### New Research In patients who suffer from the destruction or damage of certain parts of the elbow joint, cartilage/bone grafting can be considered. The purpose of this procedure is to restore the smooth appearance and function of the joint and prevent further progression of the disease. As research advances in cartilage regeneration and growth, it will be possible to replace larger areas of joint damage in the future.