The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 2006;88:421-430.
doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00568
© 2006 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.
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Current Concepts Review

Management of Elbow Osteoarthritis

Gregory D. Gramstad, MD1 and Leesa M. Galatz, MD1

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8233, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093. E-mail address for L.M. Galatz: galatzl{at}msnotes.wustl.edu

The authors did not receive grants or outside funding in support of their research for or preparation of this manuscript. They did not receive payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors are affiliated or associated.

Primary osteoarthritis of the elbow is characterized by painful stiffness, mechanical symptoms, and the presence of hypertrophic osteophytes. Preservation of the joint space is common and may account for the good results that are usually achieved with nonoperative treatment and nonprosthetic arthroplasty.

Elbow osteoarthritis typically affects middle-aged men who engage in strenuous manual activity.

Open or arthroscopic capsular release and removal of impinging osteophytes are the primary surgical treatment options. The relative sparing of joint cartilage makes elbow osteoarthritis unique in this regard and amenable to this treatment.

Arthroplasty is rarely indicated for primary osteoarthritis of the elbow and should be reserved for elderly individuals with low demands for whom other treatment options have failed.


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