Cubital osteoarthritis is the term used to describe arthritis of the elbow. It results from degenerative changes.
What is cubital osteoarthritis?
Cubital osteoarthritis is arthritis of the elbow joint. It is one of the rare forms of arthritis because the elbow is not one of the joints from which heavy weights are carried. Thus, the degenerative changes occur mainly due to injuries. The elbow joint (articulatio cubiti) consists of three partial joints. These form a functional unit and provide a connection between the humerus and the radius of the forearm through the humeral-spin joint. In addition, a connection between the ulna and the humerus is provided by the humeral-ulna joint. Both bones of the forearm come together in the ulna-spoke joint. In this process, a hinge joint and a ball-and-pin joint meet in the elbow. The smooth functioning of the elbow joint is made possible by fibrocartilage. This covers the adjacent joint surfaces and has a protective effect on them. Together with the ligaments, the muscles ensure the stability of the joint and implement the movement impulses. The functions of the elbow include flexion-extension movements from the forearm toward the upper arm, as well as rotation of the radius within the joint, which in turn enables the turning movements of the human hand.
Causes
Cubital osteoarthritis affects about two percent of the population, which is a rather low percentage compared to the knee joint (articulatio genus). Thus, unlike the knee, the elbow joint is not subject to permanent stress from body weight. For this reason, damage or injury to the elbow are the most common reasons for the occurrence of cubital arthrosis. Sports that cause increased wear and tear on the elbow, such as tennis or golf, are often responsible. Doctors then speak of tennis elbow. But certain systemic diseases are also sometimes responsible for elbow arthrosis. These include, above all, rheumatism. Another common reason for the signs of wear and tear are accidents and injuries that lead to cartilage damage and bone fractures. The causes of osteoarthritis are usually cartilage fractures, bony axial changes as well as remaining joint steps. In addition, wear of the elbow is possible due to free joint bodies or osteochondrosis dissecans, which have an increased rate of arthrosis.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Noticeable symptoms of osteoarthritis of the [elbow pain|elbow due to pain]]. These show at the beginning of the disease sporadically and under heavy loads. Often, affected individuals suffer from elbow pain at night. If the cubital arthrosis progresses further, the intensity of the pain also increases. The same also applies to the frequency. Thus, the elbow pain increasingly manifests itself even at rest. With cubital arthrosis, other complaints are also in the range of possibility. These include muscular tension and swelling. In addition, the mobility of the elbow joint is increasingly restricted until it finally stiffens. It is not uncommon for so-called crepitations to appear. These are cracking and crackling sounds that are perceived during movements of the elbow. The pain of cubital arthrosis often occurs in the morning after getting up. They often manifest themselves as stabbing. Furthermore, inflammation is possible, which is accompanied by overheating of the joint.
Diagnosis and course
In most cases, the complaints lead the patient to the doctor, who first deals in detail with his medical history (anamnesis). As part of the physical examination, palpation and a movement test of the elbow joint take place. This is followed by the taking of X-rays. X-rays allow the physician to determine the full extent of joint damage. Thus, a narrowing of the joint can be detected. Furthermore, osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts may be present. The course of cubital arthrosis is slow. It is not possible to cure the condition. Thus, the destroyed tissue can no longer be regenerated. However, medical treatments offer the possibility of improving the quality of life of those affected.
When should one go to the doctor?
In case of pain in the elbow, a doctor should be consulted quickly. Cubital arthrosis initially manifests itself only sporadically and under heavy load. Typically, the complaints occur at night and after longer periods of rest. Anyone who notices these symptoms is best to consult their family doctor or a specialist in arthritic diseases directly. Medical advice is needed at the latest when symptoms such as muscular tension and swelling occur. A sudden inability to move the elbow joint also indicates cubital arthrosis. As the condition progresses, the joint eventually stiffens and can no longer be moved. Medical advice is required if cracking and crackling noises become noticeable, which occur primarily during stretching and bending movements. The general rule is to consult a doctor immediately if you experience pain, stiffness or unusual noises during movements. Depending on how far the cubital arthrosis has already progressed, rapid treatment in the doctor’s office or even hospitalization is then required. After initial treatment, physiotherapy measures are indicated.
Treatment and therapy
Since a cure for cubital osteoarthritis is not possible, treatment of the condition is limited to alleviating the symptoms. Both conservative and surgical measures are available for this purpose. Conservative treatment options include physiotherapeutic exercises that involve targeted training of the muscles. The goal of treatment is to stabilize the elbow joint. In some cases, drugs such as chondroitin are also administered to build up cartilage. However, no lasting improvement could be achieved with the preparations. If the pain cannot be alleviated with conservative treatments, surgical interventions are considered useful. These include arthrodesis (joint stiffening), which can achieve effective permanent relief of the pain. It is used in cases of severe impairment of the elbow joint and its functions. During arthrodesis, the surgeon removes cartilage and other tissue from the joint. This allows the adjacent bones to grow together directly. With the help of metal plates and screws, the surgeon fixes the bones in a favorable position. Once the bones have grown together, the plates or screws are removed. Arthrodesis causes a restriction of movement at the arthritic joint, which leads to an improvement in pain. Another surgical treatment option is abrasion arthroplasty, which involves the removal of worn cartilage. In severe cases, it is possible to replace the worn elbow joint with an artificial prosthesis.
Outlook and prognosis
Treatment is necessary in all cases of cubital osteoarthritis. In this case, there is no self-healing without treatment, and usually there is also a worsening of symptoms. In this case, patients suffer from pain in the elbow area and often also from tension or swelling in this region. As a result, the mobility of the joint is also significantly restricted, so that movement restrictions and limitations in everyday life can occur. As the condition progresses, cubital osteoarthritis can also lead to inflammation at the joint, resulting in further and more severe pain. The joint itself may become overheated and damage the muscle. Often cubital arthrosis can be cured reactively well by physiotherapy exercises. These exercises can also be performed by the patient at home. Targeted training can often limit the symptoms completely. In severe cases, surgical interventions are necessary, which, however, also lead to a positive course of the disease. Restrictions in movement are thus completely alleviated. If the complaints of cubital arthrosis are completely ignored, joint stiffening can also occur, which is associated with severe pain and movement restrictions.
Prevention
At the very least, cubital osteoarthritis caused by excessive sports activities can be prevented. Thus, sports such as tennis or golf are better done in moderation.
Aftercare
In most cases, those affected by cubital osteoarthritis have very few or even no options and measures of a special aftercare.First and foremost, the disease must be detected and treated at an early stage so that no further complications and complaints occur that could complicate the life of the person affected. As a rule, early detection of the disease has a very positive effect on its further course. The treatment of cubital arthrosis is usually carried out through measures of physiotherapy or physiotherapy. Those affected can often repeat the exercises in their own homes and thus accelerate the treatment. Furthermore, surgical interventions may also be necessary to completely alleviate the symptoms of cubital arthrosis. After such an operation, the affected person should rest and take care of his body. Above all, the affected region should be immobilized and no weight should be placed on it. Support and help from one’s own family is also very useful in this disease and can especially prevent psychological upsets or depression. As a rule, cubital osteoarthritis does not result in a reduced life expectancy of the affected person.
What you can do yourself
Osteoarthritis of the elbow joint is caused by either degenerative or accidental wear and tear of the joint cartilage. Elbow osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but its progression can be prevented. To this end, treatment must be started promptly. Therefore, an important step towards self-help is not to play down the symptoms, but to consult a doctor promptly. At an early stage, cubital arthrosis is usually treated conservatively. The focus is on physiotherapeutic measures aimed at keeping the elbow joint mobile so that the motor function of the affected arm is maintained. Patients should seek out an experienced physical therapist and have an exercise plan developed. If the condition is occupational, the affected person is often prohibited from performing certain activities, at least temporarily. Corresponding medical prohibitions should definitely be taken seriously. If the inflammation of the joint becomes chronic, the implantation of an artificial elbow joint may become necessary. In the worst case, stiffening of the arm is imminent. Acetylsalicylic acid is often prescribed to combat the pain and inflammatory processes. This substance is also contained in willow bark. Those who prefer a natural method of treatment should ask their physician whether such preparations can be considered as an alternative or supplement to allopathic medications.
