This fact sheet is for people with elbow pain, due to osteoarthritis (OA). It has general information about elbow pain and what can be done to help. It also tells you where to find further information.

This sheet is not meant for people with elbow pain from tennis elbow, osteoporosis or other causes. 

What causes OA in the elbows?

The elbow is made of the humerus bone of the upper arm, and the ulna and radius bones of the lower arm. 

In the elbow joint, the ends of the bones are covered with articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is slick and helps the joint glide as the elbow straightens and bends. 

OA of the elbow impacts the entire joint, encompassing the:

• bone
• cartilage
• ligaments
• muscles. 

While OA has been traditionally thought of as 'wear and tear', current understanding suggests that OA may be due to a joint's efforts to self-repair. 

The lining of the joint capsule (called the synovium) may thicken and produce more fluid than normal. This can cause joint swelling, pain and stiffness. Extra bone may form at the edge of the joint. These bony growths are called osteophytes and can sometimes limit movement or rub against other tissues. 

In some cases, OA of the elbow is causes by an earlier trauma or accident in or near the joint, such as after a bone fracture. 

If the elbow cannot be moved through its normal range of motion, it may stiffen into a position where its mostly bent. This is called flexion.

What are the symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis?

OA in the elbow usually affects a person’s ability to straighten or bend the arm. The first thing most people notice is that it becomes difficult to completely straighten the arm. This is followed by an inability to bend the arm. This may cause pain when a person bends or straightens their arm.

It is common to feel increased pain and stiffness after doing activities. There may be swelling around the elbow, and a feeling of tightness.

In advanced stages, some people notice numbness in their ring finger and small finger. This can be caused by the swelling or limited range of motion in the joint at the elbow. This happens because the nerve that supplies the sensation to these two fingers is affected.

You may experience ‘crepitus’, a creaking feeling in the joint during movement. Joint crepitus with movement does not always cause pain and is often a normal process in OA.

Should I see a doctor?

You should talk to your doctor or other health professional if your pain or other symptoms are bothering you. There are three joints within the elbow that can be affected by OA. It is important that your doctor identifies the exact cause of the pain and stiffness coming your elbow. They will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. It is not necessary to have an x-ray to diagnose OA.  They may also check for any serious medical problems that could be causing your pain, but these are rare. 

What can I do?

1. Talk to your healthcare team. It is common to worry about the cause of your pain and how it will affect you. Talking to your doctor or another health professional about your worries can be helpful. You will usually find there is no serious cause and there are ways you can deal with it.
2. Learn about elbow pain and play an active role in treatment. Not all information you read or hear about is trustworthy so always talk to your doctor or healthcare team about treatments you are thinking about trying. Reliable sources of further information are also listed in the section below.  Self-management courses aim to help you develop skills to be actively involved in your healthcare. Contact you local Arthritis Office for details of these courses. 
3. Learn ways to manage pain. Talk to your healthcare team about ways to relieve pain, including ice/heat, exercise to maintain range of motion, using an elbow sleeve or guard. Some other options are described below. 
4. Medicines. Many different types of medicines can help the symptoms of elbow OA. It's best to start with simple analgesics before trying others. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you understand which medicines are right for your and how best to use them. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medicines, as even natural and over-the-counter medicines can have side effects. 
5. Acknowledge your feelings and seek support. It is natural to feel scared, frustrated, sad and sometimes angry when you have pain. Be aware of these feelings and get help if necessary. You can learn skills to recognise and calm anxiety or strong emotions if you find they start to affect your daily life. 

Your healthcare team can give your more advice about these of other treatments that might be useful for you.

Other resources

Podcasts: https://www.jointaction.info/podcast/episode/7d9f0e84/steves-journey-with-osteoarthritis

State and territory arthritis offices:

Your local Arthritis Office can provide further information to assist you and will have a range of education and support activities. Click here to find your local office.

Independent Living Centres (ILCs)

These centres provide information about products and services to help people remain independent and improve their quality of life. They are located in each capital city. See www.ilcaustralia.org.au orcall theNational ILCInfoline on 1300 885 886to find your closest centre andmore information. (In Queensland, the Independent Living Centre is called LifeTec).