Dr. Howard Marans and his staff are experts in as many alternative and effective treatments of elbow arthritis as there are ways to develop the inflammatory and painfully restrictive disease.
Effective Treatments of Elbow Arthritis
Physical Treatments
Physiotherapy may help build up strength in your elbow and prevent the condition from returning.
- Acupuncture is used in physiotherapy and sometimes with elbow conditions, although no strong evidence of its benefit exists. Physiotherapists may also fit epicondylitis clasps useful for tennis and golfer’s elbow but not for radial tunnel or cubial syndrome. Physiotherapists lessen your elbow strain by strapping or taping the joint or soft-tissue.
Steroid Injections
If you’re in severe pain or don’t seem to be better within a few weeks, see your doctor. They may recommend local steroid injection. The pain can worsen for a few hours afterwards, and occasionally it may be severe and last up to 48 hours. However, most recover after this. If the pain continues. you may require a second injection.
- Steroid injections are an effective treatment of elbow arthritis with very few side-effects, unless tennis elbow has lasted more than 6 weeks. Most people get better whether they have an injection or not.
Platelet-rich Plasma Injection
A new technique called platelet-rich plasma is a popular treatment for tennis elbow.
- PRP involves taking a blood sample that is treated to increase the number of platelets compared with other cells in the sample. This is then re-injected into the area, stimulating healing in the nearby tissues. Recent international studies indicate PRP reduces pain and increases function more effectively than steroid injections.
Surgery – Are You Ready For a Cure?
Dr. Howard Marans is a go-to authority for all elbow, knee, hand, wrist, and ankle surgeries, and his practice extends over twenty California cities. Surgery is the most effective treatment of elbow arthritis to ensure no relapse or return of chronic painful symptoms. Dr. Marans and his expert office staff can determine the extent of your joint issues and safely and effectively treat you.
Most elbow pain will heal using the above non-invasive treatments, but some will need surgery. There are different surgeries for the elbow. Most operations are carried out as day-case procedures and patients return home that same day. Afterward, you’ll need to follow a regular stretching program at home as well as having physiotherapy. You may need to go back Dr. Marans for a check-up after two weeks. You should usually only need two weeks off work for effective treatment of elbow arthritis unless your job involves heavy manual work, when you may need four to six weeks off, at Dr. Marans’ discretion.
Elbow Stiffness
If your stiffness is due to abnormal bone formation or soft tissue problems, you may need an operation to remove abnormal bone or release contracted tissues. After the operation, your elbow will probably be moved by a special machine for a few days and Dr. Marans will prescribe intensive physiotherapy as an outpatient. The operation may not restore full range of movement, but that is not a common outcome.
Elbow Arthritis
If loose pieces of bone are causing pain, they can be removed arthroscopically. This means surgery is done through a very small incision. Abnormal bone is cleared from the joint in an open procedure if a bigger incision is needed.
If your elbow is making it difficult for you to carry on with your daily life or is causing a lot of pain and restricting your every day movement, an elbow replacement may be required for effective treatment of elbow arthritis. Dr. Marans will advise if this is necessary and recommended. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.