patientinformation Osteoarthritis of the elbow A guide to treatment & management Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service

Transcription

1 The NHS Foundation Trust Osteoarthritis of the elbow A guide to treatment & management Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service patientinformation Your health,your life,your choice,our passion

2 Osteoarthritis of the elbow Introduction Osteoarthritis involves degenerative changes ( wear and tear ) of the joint surface (cartilage). It may occur as the result of previous injury or use over the years. The result is a change in the joint surface. The joint space may narrow and there may be rough joint surfaces due to bony growths called osteophytes. What are the symptoms? Pain in the region of the elbow. Pain can vary from a constant dull ache to pain which can disturb your sleep. Stiffness. You may find your elbow is getting stiff and the movements are reduced. This may interfere with your day to day activities. Locking. Sometimes a piece of bone may work itself lose and may get caught inside the elbow joint. This may produce a sense of jamming and inability to move the elbow. This may ease and the elbow may start moving after some time. Locking can be very painful. Swelling. Your elbow may swell causing discomfort.

3 Osteoarthritis of the elbow Degenerative elbow joint Area of elbow osteoarthritis What tests may be done? You will be assessed by a clinician who will ask you questions and then look at your range of movement. They may then send you for x-rays to look at the joint shape and space. What are the treatment options? Depending on the amount of arthritis the options are as follows: l Rest. You will be advised to avoid aggravating activities but try to move your elbow as much as you are able l Pain killers. You may be prescribed pain killers or anti-inflammatories to reduce your pain and any inflammation l Physiotherapy. You will be shown some exercises to maintain and improve your range of movement. l Surgery. If the joint is narrowed and osteophytes are preventing normal movement of the elbow, surgery may be needed. You will be referred to an Orthopaedic surgeon in that case.

4 Osteoarthritis of the elbow How to contact us Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service Community Health Centre Greasbrough Road S60 1RY Telephone Useful contact numbers NHS Direct Telephone Health Info Telephone Stop Smoking Service Telephone Patient Services Telephone A&E Telephone For GP out of hours, contact your surgery Useful websites We value your comments Hearing about your experience of our services is very important as it means we can pass compliments to our staff and make improvements where necessary. Tell us what you think at If you have any comments or concerns about the care we have provided please let us know, or alternatively you can write to: Patient Services The NHS Foundation Trust Hospital Moorgate Road Oakwood S60 2UD Telephone If you require this document in another language, large print, braille or audio version, please contact Patient Information on or Produced by Sally Blair and Vanessa Fletcher-Barrett. October Revision due October Version: 1.0 The NHS Foundation Trust All rights reserved.

5 How to find us Community Health Centre main routes A6123 A6123 Greasbrough St Community Health Centre Greasbrough Rd Greasbrough Rd Northfield Rd Rawmarsh Rd A6021 Effingham St Kenneth St Shaftesbury Square Norfolk St St Ann s Rd A633 St Ann s Roundabout St Ann s Rd A629 College Rd Roundabout Bridge St Greasbrough Rd Water St Henry St A6021 Wharncliffe St Norfolk St College Rd ROTHERHAM CENTRAL TRAIN STATION A6021 Hospital main routes To Leeds Parkgate To Doncaster 35 Thorpe Hesley B6089 A633 M1 North 34 South 34 To Sheffield Kimberworth Park A629 Kimberworth A6109 Woodside Brinsworth 33 TOWN Clifton CENTRE A618 East Dene Hospital Moorgate A6123 Whiston Herringthorpe M1 Wickersley Bramley 32 To A1, M62 & Hull M18 1 To Sheffield Treeton A618 M1 To Nottingham and the South

6 Sustainable Forests / Low chlorine LS 21 10/12 V1 WFO Hospital Moorgate Road Oakwood S60 2UD Telephone