Osteoarthritis
Primary OA of the elbow is a relatively rare condition that comprises only 1% to 2% of patients with elbow arthritis.8
Primary OA of the elbow is a disease that is almost exclusive to males, and has a strong association with strenuous use of the arm in activities ranging from weight lifting to operating heavy machinery. In 1936, Rostock9 reported a nearly 33% incidence of primary OA in a large population of coal miners.
Similarly, Stanley10 and Sakakibara and coworkers11 also reported a clear association between symptomatic primary
OA of the elbow and manual labor as well as the prolonged use of industrial tools.
The pattern of pain in patients with primary OA is quite different than that of patients with RA. OA patients classically …show more content…
Similarly, if osteophyte formation occurs in the trochlea or in the coronoid process, impingement pain may be noted in extreme flexion. Patients may complain of pain throughout the arc of motion, but this is typically a late finding when the disease is more advanced.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis may occur after any traumatic insult to the elbow, regardless of severity. It can occur in patients of either gender and of any age, but is most common in young males.12 The risk of developing this condition correlates with both the injury pattern and the energy of the injury. swelling and osteopenia. Grade II disease demonstrates mild to moderate joint space narrowing. Grade III applies when there is significant arthrosis and architectural changes, with a variable degree of joint space narrowing. Finally, grade
IV is reserved for gross articular destruction with extensive loss of subchondral bone.
No such radiographic classification systems exist for primary
OA or posttraumatic arthritis. However, there are typical radiographic findings for each disease. The radiographic characteristics of osteoarthritis include ulnotrochlear …show more content…
Nonoperative Treatment
Nonoperative management of elbow arthritis is similar to that of other arthritic joints. If not medically contraindicated, patients should be prescribed analgesics, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen for pain control. Many classes of drugs exist that can aid in the medical management of RA, including oral steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and tissue necrotic factor (TNF) blockers.6 Intra-articular steroid injections can be very effective in the management of acute rheumatoid flares and also have been successful as maintenance therapy in patients with degenerative joint disease.
Physical therapy is important for the maintenance of elbow range of motion, along with the institution of a joint protection program. A program of this type instructs the patient in techniques to perform activities of daily living
(ADLs) with reduced joint reactive forces. This approach serves to reduce pain, minimize further joint deterioration, and conserve energy. Some of the basic techniques are to avoid aggravating activities, to respect pain and use it
Primary OA of the elbow is a relatively rare condition that comprises only 1% to 2% of patients with elbow arthritis.8
Primary OA of the elbow is a disease that is almost exclusive to males, and has a strong association with strenuous use of the arm in activities ranging from weight lifting to operating heavy machinery. In 1936, Rostock9 reported a nearly 33% incidence of primary OA in a large population of coal miners.
Similarly, Stanley10 and Sakakibara and coworkers11 also reported a clear association between symptomatic primary
OA of the elbow and manual labor as well as the prolonged use of industrial tools.
The pattern of pain in patients with primary OA is quite different than that of patients with RA. OA patients classically …show more content…
Similarly, if osteophyte formation occurs in the trochlea or in the coronoid process, impingement pain may be noted in extreme flexion. Patients may complain of pain throughout the arc of motion, but this is typically a late finding when the disease is more advanced.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis may occur after any traumatic insult to the elbow, regardless of severity. It can occur in patients of either gender and of any age, but is most common in young males.12 The risk of developing this condition correlates with both the injury pattern and the energy of the injury. swelling and osteopenia. Grade II disease demonstrates mild to moderate joint space narrowing. Grade III applies when there is significant arthrosis and architectural changes, with a variable degree of joint space narrowing. Finally, grade
IV is reserved for gross articular destruction with extensive loss of subchondral bone.
No such radiographic classification systems exist for primary
OA or posttraumatic arthritis. However, there are typical radiographic findings for each disease. The radiographic characteristics of osteoarthritis include ulnotrochlear …show more content…
Nonoperative Treatment
Nonoperative management of elbow arthritis is similar to that of other arthritic joints. If not medically contraindicated, patients should be prescribed analgesics, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen for pain control. Many classes of drugs exist that can aid in the medical management of RA, including oral steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and tissue necrotic factor (TNF) blockers.6 Intra-articular steroid injections can be very effective in the management of acute rheumatoid flares and also have been successful as maintenance therapy in patients with degenerative joint disease.
Physical therapy is important for the maintenance of elbow range of motion, along with the institution of a joint protection program. A program of this type instructs the patient in techniques to perform activities of daily living
(ADLs) with reduced joint reactive forces. This approach serves to reduce pain, minimize further joint deterioration, and conserve energy. Some of the basic techniques are to avoid aggravating activities, to respect pain and use it