Elbow Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Private Treatment

Reviewed By:
Dr. Sameer Gohir PhD, MSc, PG Cert MSK ultrasound, PG Cert. Non-Medical Prescribing, MCSP, MAPPN
Muhammad Asim Ishaque MSc, PG Cert MSK ultrasound, Dip. MSK Medicine, PG Cert. Non-Medical Prescribing, MCSP, MAPPN

What Is Elbow Arthritis?

Arthritis in the elbow occurs when the protective cartilage in the joint begins to wear away or is damaged. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the arm.

While not as common as arthritis in other joints like the knee or hip, elbow arthritis can significantly impact daily activities.

Elbow stiffness or pain from arthritis affecting your routine? Joint Injection Clinic near Kent and Essex offers care to help you move comfortably again.

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Elbow Arthritis

Common Causes of Elbow Arthritis

Several factors can contribute to the development of elbow arthritis:

  • Osteoarthritis: Often referred to as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, this is a degenerative condition where the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones gradually deteriorates over time. It is more common in people over the age of 50.
  • Post-traumatic Arthritis: This type of arthritis develops after an injury to the elbow, such as a fracture or dislocation. The injury can damage the cartilage, leading to accelerated wear and tear of the joint.
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium), causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and eventually damage to the cartilage and bone.

Other risk factors include prior surgery on the elbow joint and repetitive overuse injuries, which can place excessive stress on the joint.

Symptoms of Elbow Arthritis

The symptoms of elbow arthritis can vary depending on the severity and type of arthritis, but commonly include:

  • Pain: This may be worse with movement or at night.
  • Stiffness: Making it difficult to bend or straighten the elbow.
  • Swelling: Around the elbow joint.
  • Clicking or Catching Sensation: This can occur if there are loose fragments of cartilage or bone within the joint.
  • Limited Range of Motion: Difficulty performing everyday tasks that require full elbow movement.
  • Numbness or Tingling: In advanced cases, bone spurs can press on nerves, leading to numbness in the ring and small fingers.

Treatment Options for Elbow Arthritis

Treatment for elbow arthritis aims to reduce pain, improve function, and slow down the progression of joint damage. The approach depends on the severity of the arthritis and the individual’s needs.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

For early-stage arthritis, conservative treatments are often recommended:

  • Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that worsen pain.
  • Ice and Heat: Applying ice can help reduce swelling and inflammation, while heat can help loosen stiff joints.
  • Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage pain and swelling. In some cases, prescription medications may be necessary. For inflammatory types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, specific medications targeting the immune system may be prescribed.
  • Physiotherapist: A physiotherapist can teach exercises to maintain or improve range of motion, strengthen surrounding muscles, and provide strategies for protecting the joint during daily activities.
  • Splinting or Bracing: Wearing a brace or splint can help support the elbow and reduce pain, particularly during activities or at night.
  • Cortisone Injections: Injecting corticosteroids directly into the joint can provide temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation. Read more about benefits and risks of cortisone injection.

Surgical Treatments:

If conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, surgical options may be considered, especially for more advanced arthritis:

  • Elbow Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure using small incisions and a camera to remove loose bodies, clean out inflamed tissue, and remove bone spurs that are blocking motion.
  • Open Debridement: Involves making a larger incision to remove bone spurs and inflamed tissue.
  • Interposition Arthroplasty: Involves removing damaged cartilage and placing tissue between the bones to create a new gliding surface.
  • Elbow Replacement (Arthroplasty): In severe cases, the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with artificial components made of metal and plastic. This is typically reserved for older individuals or those with lower activity levels due to the potential for wear and loosening of the implant.
  • Elbow Fusion (Arthrodesis): Involves permanently joining the bones of the elbow together. This eliminates pain but results in a complete loss of elbow movement. This option is less common and is usually considered for younger, more active individuals with severe arthritis where other options are not suitable.

Recovery time after surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed and requires a period of rehabilitation to regain strength and motion.

Private Elbow Arthritis Treatment & Injection Options

Elbow pain and stiffness may be related to osteoarthritis, previous injury, or inflammatory arthritis. A private MSK assessment can help identify the most likely cause and whether treatment at JIC is appropriate.

For osteoarthritis or post-traumatic joint pain, management may include activity modification and rehabilitation, with a guided corticosteroid injection considered in selected cases for temporary symptom relief. Suspected inflammatory arthritis, persistent locking or severe loss of movement may need medical, rheumatology or orthopaedic review.

Elbow Arthritis Treatment Near You

Dartford Clinic – North Kent & South East London

Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Dartford

Kings Hill Clinic — West Malling & Mid Kent

Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Kings Hill

Canterbury Clinic – East Kent & the Kent Coast

Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Canterbury

Romford Clinic – East London & Essex

Ultrasound-Guided Injections in Romford


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Frequently Asked Questions

A corticosteroid injection may be considered for selected osteoarthritis or post-traumatic presentations when pain is limiting function. It is not the right treatment for every type of elbow arthritis.

Loose bodies, bone changes or other joint problems can cause mechanical symptoms. Persistent locking may require imaging and an orthopaedic opinion rather than repeated injections.

Other Elbow Conditions We Treat

Not sure whether your symptoms match this condition? Explore the other elbow pain conditions assessed and treated at JIC.