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STIFF ELBOW
Arthritis of the Elbow
 Arthritis of the elbow most commonly seen
Post traumatic, or
Osteoarthritis (normal wear and tear). or
Inflammatory -Rheumatoid Complaints - Stiffness – reduction in functional range of motion
- Locking, catching
- Pain
- Deformity
Rheumatoid arthritis with destruction of joint is seen less often now due to better medical and immunomodulatory treatments. The following stages
- Mild synovitis – osteopenia. Treatment is largely medical management.
- Moderate synovitis – narrow joint space – treated by synovectomy if drugs cannot relieve the pain. This can be done arthroscopically
- Severe synovitis – loss of articular cartilage- resurfacing arthroplasty
- Mechanical instability –destroyed joint- semi constrained arthroplasty
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X-ray of elbow showing Rheumatoid arthritis and joint destruction
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