Elbow arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, weakness and limited range of motion in the elbow joint, making it difficult to perform your everyday activities, job or hobbies. If you are being impacted by these symptoms, you may wonder about arthritis in elbow joint treatment modalities you might try to help ease them. Let’s discuss elbow arthritis therapies offered by Dr. Soffer in Reading, PA, along with what to expect in terms of recovery time.
Arthritis in Elbow Joint: Treatment and Recovery Info
If you are dealing with any type of elbow arthritis – whether it’s rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis – seeking professional treatment as soon as possible is key to maximize your chances of successfully managing your symptoms with conservative treatment.
Typically, nonsurgical methods of arthritis in elbow joint treatment are recommended to start out. These might include:
- – Avoiding activities that irritate your elbow
- – Using heat and ice therapy to reduce swelling and stiffness
- – Taking pain-relieving medications
- – Wearing an elbow brace or splint to support the joint
- – Getting cortisone injections to help with discomfort
In the event that these initial treatment options fail to significantly improve elbow function and alleviate pain, an orthopedic expert may recommend surgical treatment. Surgery can be used to remove loose bodies and adhesions (scar tissue) as well as the bone spurs.
Whether arthroscopic or open surgery is more appropriate will depend on individual factors like the type & severity of arthritis, along with age & activity level. Dr. Soffer prioritizes arthroscopic surgery whenever possible because it is minimally invasive and generally comes with a shorter recovery process than open surgery. Even so, keep in mind that recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery can still take weeks to months. Based on your individual case, Dr. Soffer can provide a more detailed view of what to expect in terms of your rehabilitation timeline.
See Dr. Soffer for Cutting-Edge Elbow Treatment
If you’re eager to find relief for lingering elbow symptoms through individualized treatment, depend on Dr. Soffer to deliver top-notch care. As a testament to his expertise, Dr. Soffer coauthored the first elbow arthroscopy textbook published in the U.S. alongside Dr. James Andrews. Today, he proudly offers a full range of advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatments for elbow arthritis and other orthopedic conditions. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our Reading, PA area office at 610-375-4949.
