Elbow Arthritis & Osteoarthritis

As people use their elbows constantly throughout the day, therefore they are always prone to injury. If injured, people will experience the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Radiation of pain to forearm/wrist
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Loss of motion
• Stiffness
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Tingling

Common elbow injuries include:

• UCL injury
• Tendon tears
• Tennis elbow/lateral epicondylitis
• Golfer’s elbow/ medial epicondylitis
• Elbow arthritis (osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis)
• Trauma or accidental injury

During the physical examination, your doctor performs various tests to detect the level of pain and grip strength. He may further recommend X-rays and an MRI to detect any elbow injury or recommend a blood test to rule out rheumatoid arthritis.

The conventional treatment for elbow damage includes non-surgical procedures and surgical procedures to improve the strength and function of elbow joints by controlling the symptoms and avoid further joint damage. Non-surgical procedures include R.I.C.E. Formula (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), activity modification (bracing) and physical therapy. Administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections provide temporary relief, but they have local and systemic adverse side effects.

Lastly, your doctor may recommend elbow arthroscopy to treat some elbow injuries. In the case of osteoarthritis, your doctor may recommend elbow joint replacement surgery. But they have a few disadvantages:

You may experience elbow pain, swelling, and discomfort after the completion of the operation. So, the doctor recommends that you should follow post-operative rehabilitation protocols for the complete recovery of your elbow joint. Hence you will have to take rest, apply ice packs to the affected areas and undergo physical therapy to strengthen the arms and increase range of motion. Finally, you will return to your normal routine between six months to one year after the surgery. Although joint replacement can be a treatment option for elbow osteoarthritis, there are patients with continuing pain and an increased rate of bone erosion with weakness as they grow older. Hence, they are forced to opt for surgery again.

Here comes the innovation in the medical field. Fortunately, regenerative cellular treatments have evolved as an alternative to elbow surgery, where your body can heal by itself. For instance, if you cut your finger, it bleeds and forms a scab like structure. Later, the healing cells beneath the scab seal the injury and stop the bleeding. Similarly, your body can also examine the signs of damage and repair them using its healing cells. 

Regenerative treatments are non-surgical procedures that provide long-lasting relief from the symptoms with minimal downtime and enhances recovery within a short period. It has no side effects since the injection involves your blood or regenerative cells. So, there is no chance of rejection or cross-transmission of disease.

Regenerative cellular therapeutic options such as Enhanced PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy, prolotherapy, SVF (Stromal Vascular fraction) therapy and mesenchymal cell therapy proves to be efficient for treating several types of arthritis.Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) regenerative cell injections can manage all kinds of elbow injuries and osteoarthritis.

PRP injection does not have potential complications associated with a corticosteroid injection such as secondary tendon tears, skin atrophy, etc. [1] 

PRP therapy is considered as a safe and effective therapy for tennis elbow, compared to steroid injections. PRP reduced elbow pain and increased function significantly, exceeding the effect of corticosteroid injection even after a follow-up of 2 years [2]. 

Since PRP injections significantly reduce pain and improve functions during the treatment of patients with chronic elbow tendinosis, doctors can consider PRP therapy before surgical intervention [3]. 

Even a single injection of BMA containing plasma rich in growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells showed a significant improvement in symptoms while treating tennis elbow patients [4].

The formation of scar tissue due to conservative management creates a tendon lacking the biomechanical properties and mechanical strength of the normal tendon. Regenerative cellular treatments, including BMAC, PRP injection, and collagen-producing cell injection help to regenerate tendon and regain function in patients with epicondylitis. They also alleviate pain, enhance functioning, and improve healing [5].