Elbow Arthritis

Contact Atlanta Hand Specialist for Elbow Arthritis Relief.

Arthritis, a condition that damages the cartilage lining around the bone, occurs when there is inflammation in a joint like the elbow. Seek treatment for elbow arthritis at Atlanta Hand Specialist.

There are various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, septic arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Each type of arthritis may be caused by different underlying elements, and each has different risk factors.

What Causes Elbow Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is most common in active people, whose wear and tear on the cartilage causes the surface to become worn. After this, the bones in the elbow begin to rub one another with no cushioning, triggering pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is predominantly found in women and is genetic. This type of arthritis occurs when the immune system breaks down the membrane that lines the joints. This is the most common type of arthritis that occurs in the elbow.

Post-traumatic arthritis occurs after a person sustains an injury. The area damaged then becomes sensitive and pain occurs with increased movement.

Psoriatic arthritis accompanies the skin condition, psoriasis. This can cause flaking skin on the elbow in addition to the symptoms of arthritis.

Septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection. When this infection enters the bloodstream it can spread to the joint, causing septicity.

Symptoms of Elbow Arthritis

Symptoms of elbow arthritis may vary, depending on the form of arthritis. The severity of the symptoms can also range from mild to severe, and some symptoms occur more frequently than others.

Shared symptoms of arthritis include:

Loss of motion and movement
Grating feeling in the bones
Joints locking
Stiffness
Joint instability
Swelling

If symptoms worsen, they can spread to other joints near the elbow, like the wrist, hands, or fingers.

Elbow Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatments

Mild forms of arthritis can be treated at home, and with non-surgical procedures. Activity modification, medications for pain, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy can all help patients manage elbow arthritis symptoms.

If elbow arthritis is severe, there are some surgical options to help manage pain:

An arthroscopy can be performed to remove loose fragments and tissue in the joint.
Prosthetic joints can be inserted so that the original joint is no longer in use.
Tendons can be repaired.
Joint fusion can be performed if a prosthetic joint is not an option.

Call Atlanta Hand Specialist for Help Managing Elbow Arthritis

Atlanta Hand Specialist can help treat your arthritic elbows and joints. To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, fill out our online form or contact our office at (770) 333-7888. We have multiple Atlanta locations in Smyrna, Marietta, Canton, East Cobb, and Douglasville.

Elbow Pain

Call Atlanta Hand Specialist About Treatment for Elbow Pain and Discomfort.

The elbow functions as a hinge for your arm, allowing movement and ease of range. The elbow is a joint, composed of a complex set of bones and muscles, like the biceps and triceps. When these muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones are injured or irritated, it can cause mild to severe elbow pain. Read on to learn more about elbow pain and how to seek treatment at Atlanta Hand Specialist in metro Atlanta.

What Causes Elbow Pain?

Because elbow pain is a general term, there are a number of factors that may be the culprit. Usually causes of elbow pain are related to injuries caused by sports or accidents, and sometimes disease.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

Tendonitis
Olecranon Bursitis
A sprained or broken elbow
Various forms of arthritis
Cellulitis
Tumors
Nerve entrapment
Tennis elbow
Golfer’s elbow
Dislocation
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Overuse due to occupation or hobby

Symptoms of Elbow Pain

While symptoms vary on a scale from mild to severe, many of the signs and indicators are the same. Patients should see a doctor if:

There is severe pain present in the joint
Swelling or bruising occurs
You have trouble moving your arm normally
Pain doesn’t improve after a few days
Pain is present even when your elbow is not in motion

Patients should seek immediate emergency care if there are signs of a deformity in the elbow, or if bone is protruding.

Elbow Pain Diagnosis & Treatments

Causes of elbow pain can be diagnosed several ways, through techniques like physical exams, X-rays, CT scan, MRI, EMG, and sometimes biopsy if fluid is present in the joint.

Treatment plans differ depending on a patient’s diagnosis. Usually, elbow pain is not serious and can be treated at home with rest, application of ice, compression bandages, anti-inflammatory medications, and elevating the elbow to reduce swelling.

If hospitalization or a doctor’s visit is necessary, in-office treatments range from steroid injections and medications to surgery.

Schedule an Appointment with Atlanta Hand Specialist About Elbow Pain

If you have concerns or are experiencing persistent pain in your elbow, Atlanta Hand Specialist can help. Call one of our multiple Atlanta area locations in Smyrna, Marietta, Canton, East Cobb, and Douglasville. Schedule an appointment online, or call our office at (770) 333-7888.

Joint Pain

Get Help for Joint Pain from Atlanta Hand Specialist in Georgia.

The joints are links between bones that allow flexibility, movement, and support. Your body has a number of joints, and pain can be experienced from your shoulders down to your toes. Certain diseases or injuries can increase the likelihood of joint pain.

Pain in the joints can range from an annoying twinge to absolutely debilitating. The good news is that joint pain can usually be managed at home. Read below for more information on joint pain from the doctors at Atlanta Hand Specialist.

What Causes Joint Pain?

A disease or an injury affecting parts of the joint like the bone, bursae, or tendons can lead to uncomfortable symptoms. Because joint pain is a fairly general term, there can be many causes that can produce pain.

Joint pain can be caused by the following factors:

Autoimmune diseases like lupus
Gout
Arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis
Strains and sprains
Tendonitis
Avascular necrosis
Fibromyalgia
Bone cancer
Leukemia
Viral infections
Lyme disease
Fractures and broken bones

Symptoms of Joint Pain

Depending on the severity of joint pain, symptoms can be serious or treated with over the counter medications. Common symptoms of joint pain include:

Redness
Swelling
Tenderness
Warmth
Locking of the joint

See a doctor if symptoms like fever develop, or if pain lasts more than three days.

Diagnosis & Treatments

To find out what is causing your pain, a doctor will assess your medical history and ask you a number of questions about your symptoms and if you have participated in any activities that may have caused the onset of your discomfort. Doctors may perform blood tests, X-rays, and other imaging tests to diagnosis more serious cases.

Depending on what these tests find, treatments for joint pain can range from home remedies to surgical operations. At home care will require you to rest, ice the area multiple times, and take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. Surgical procedures vary depending on the severity of your condition.

Call Atlanta Hand Specialist for Joint Pain Relief

Joint pain can be unbearable at times and can cause distress in your daily life. If you are experiencing joint pain or have any concerns, contact Atlanta Hand Specialist to schedule an appointment. Call our office at (770) 333-7888 or fill out an online appointment form to visit one of our multiple Atlanta area locations.

R. Chrisman

I knew I liked Dr. Watson as soon as he looked at my crushed thumb and said “What did you do to yourself!” His combination of caring, concern and a sense of humor made my first fracture, in my 65 years, almost enjoyable!

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Tawn A. Fletcher

Thanks to Dr. Watson and his wonderful staff, for treating me! I am finally able to sleep after suffering from carpal tunnel for five to six years, following army service.

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I am quite pleased with Dr. Watson and his team and the quality of service they provided. They are very dedicated, professional and caring. They took care of everything. Dr. Watson is very nice and gentle. He encouraged me, during the entire process. I have already recommended Atlanta Hand Specialist to my friends. They are the best.

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For having my 1st truly broken bone, this has been an experience. Everyone has treated me with such care and patience. I have healed great and the scar is minimal. Thanks to everyone.

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I want to let everyone know about the outstanding care that Dr. Patel and his team provided. Recently, our daughter severly broke her arm. Dr. Patel provided immediate attention and had a special way in calming our daughter. I was comforted to see the efficiency, professionalism, and thoughtfulness he showed all the way from the initial visit, to surgery, to follow up appointments. We know that Dr. Patel is top in his field and we felt very blessed and reassured that our daughter was in great hands. Our daughter fully healed in a short time and we attribute this to Dr. Patel and his amazing team being involved throughout the entire process. I would highly recommend him to anyone! Thank you for all that you did Dr. Patel!

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