Osteoartritis
Elbow Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage surface of the elbow is damaged or frayed. It may be due to previous injury, as a dislocation or fracture of the elbow, or the degeneration of cartilage of the joint due to aging.
Osteoarthritis usually affects the elbow less than other joints, that supports less has strong forces and stabilizing ligaments.
Treatments
Treatment options depend on several factors: how advanced the disease, clinical history, overall fitness, the results of diagnostic tests and the patient's will.
Nonsurgical Treatment
- In the early stages of osteoarthritis of the elbow are commonly used nonsurgical treatments, as oral medication to reduce or relieve pain, physical therapy and activity modification.
- Corticosteroid injections relieve pain significantly, although its effects are temporary and may eventually need additional treatment.
- Hyaluronic acid is an alternative to steroids, is used to increase the fluid in a joint, so that the cushioning cartilage protecting.
- Growth factors are used to improve the immune status, reduce potential inflammatory processes and accelerate the physiological processes of tissue repair.
Surgical Treatment
- Sometimes it is necessary to resort to surgery.
- Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical treatment effective when wear or damage is limited and is useful when the patient is in an early stage of arthritis. By arthroscopy orthopedic surgeon can remove the loose bodies or inflammatory joint tissue. You can also flatten uneven surfaces. Arthroscopy does not require the patient to stay overnight in the hospital and recovery is fairly quick.
- If the joint surface is worn completely, is necessary to replace the joint with a prosthesis. Several types of prosthetic joint replacement of the elbow.
- Sometimes, if the loss of movement is the primary symptom, orthopedic surgeon can release the contracture and smooth the surface of the joint.