Arthritis can occur anywhere in the body, even the elbow. While there are many forms of arthritis, the most common type that affects the elbow joint is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a "wear and tear" disease. With age and use, the cartilage in the joint breaks down. As this happens, bone rubs on bone which can cause a variety of symptoms and, in severe cases, deformity. It is also possible to develop rheumatoid arthritis in the elbow. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have symptoms that are similar and others that are specific to each condition. Learning to recognize the symptoms of arthritis will help you identify the type of arthritis and the most effective treatment.
Pain and Limited Motion
In the case of osteoarthritis, as bone rubs on bone, movement will often be painful. At times the pain can be sharp, but at other times, it might feel like a dull ache. Your pain may be exacerbated by certain movements and relieved by others. The severity of the pain depends on how much damage has occurred in the joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a loss of range of motion in the joint is another common symptom of elbow osteoarthritis.
Locking or Grating Sensations
With osteoarthritis of the elbow, you may hear or feel a grating sound or sensation. The grating is the result of bone rubbing on bone where the cartilage has worn away. You may also experience a sensation of the elbow joint locking. This occurs due to loose pieces of cartilage or bone that lodge in the joint and restrict the joint's ability to move.
Advanced Symptoms
In the later stages of elbow osteoarthritis (OA), your elbow joint may become inflamed or swollen. This swelling can put pressure on surrounding nerves and lead to numbness or tingling sensations in the elbow joint, hands or fingers. If there is too much pressure on a nerve, you might develop muscle weakness in the hand, as well. According to the Cedars-Sinai Health System, joint instability can develop, with the condition progressing to a point where it is no longer possible to straighten or bend your elbow.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disease, can also affect the elbow joint. It can cause pain, inflammation and severe joint deformity. The affected joint will also be warm, tender and red. The University of Washington School of Medicine says that it is usually easy to distinguish RA from OA. With RA, usually both elbows are affected by similar symptoms, whereas OA will only affect one elbow. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you will not only have symptoms in the elbow but you will also experience fatigue, anemia and other symptoms associated with an autoimmune condition. Additionally, other joints will be affected.
