The term arthritis is an umbrella term for conditions affecting the joints. Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis, for example are types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting around 24% of the adult population. It is characterized by a thinning or wearing down of the protective cartilage that lines the ends of the bones in a joint but can also affect the bones and soft tissue in the area as well. Elbow osteoarthritis can occur in individuals who have performed manual labor or sports throughout their life leading to heavy use of the elbow. It is also more common among those who have had a serious elbow injury. Other types of arthritis can be caused by infection, auto-immune conditions or urate crystals but they all can cause damage to joint cartilage. Cartilage has two main jobs:

• Provide a smooth, low-friction surface for the joints to articulate and move
• Transmit forces into the underlying bone

Symptoms of elbow arthritis are caused by inflammation, thinning, wearing, cracking or fissuring of cartilage and include:

• Joint pain during or after movement
• Early arthritis often leads to pain at the end of elbow flexion or extension
• Later in the disease pain can be felt throughout the range of motion
• Joint stiffness that worsens after a period of inactivity
• Swelling or tenderness around the elbow
• Decreased elbow joint flexibility or range of motion
• A grating sensation or popping/cracking noise when moving the elbow (though this can happen in healthy joints as well)
• Difficulty performing day-to-day tasks, sports or manual activities at work

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your elbow arthritis issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

PHYSICAL THERAPY TO ADDRESS ELBOW ARTHRITIS

While physical therapy cannot reverse the effects of arthritis on joint tissues, research shows that physical therapy is an effective tool to reduce pain and improve function. When physical activity worsens pain, it is common for persons with arthritis to begin self-limiting activity. Though it may seem counterintuitive, less motion is often not the answer to arthritis pain. This is where a physical therapist can help. Physical therapy to treat arthritis often includes the following goals:

Pain Reduction: Modalities such as heat, ice or electrical stimulation and gentle hands-on techniques such as passive range of motion, soft tissue or joint mobilization, myofascial release techniques, or taping to improve the mobility of the elbow joint and surrounding soft tissues can be used to reduce pain.

Restore Joint Motion: If mobility is restricted in the connective tissue structures around the joint itself, joint mobilization techniques may be utilized to improve that motion. Active range of motion might be prescribed initially to reintroduce motion to the joint and later on stretching may be prescribed to help lengthen chronically shortened tissues.

Address Biomechanical Impairments: While the surfaces of the elbow joint may no longer be pristine, how the joint moves and how much stress is applied across an affected joint can play a large role in how much pain you experience and how much you have to limit your activities. Proper strength, flexibility and motor control in the muscles surrounding the elbow can optimize its movement and may reduce some of the rubbing that occurs between uneven joint surfaces.

Return to Activities

The ultimate goal of a physical therapy program for arthritis is to help you get back to the activities you love and need to do throughout your life. At Evolve, your PT will help you get back to activities in the safest, most effective and quickest way possible. When returning to your prior level of function is not possible because of pain, your PT is there to help advise you on adaptations you can make to help control your symptoms while still participating in as many activities as possible.

If you are struggling with pain and symptoms related to elbow arthritis, call us today to learn more about our services and schedule an evaluation