Research Joint Replacement / Elbow Pain
Elbow Pain Overview
The elbow is a complex joint consisting of three compartments that provide two types of motion. The humerus (upper-arm bone) and the ulna (bone on the small-finger side) provide hinge-type motion. The humerus and the radius (bone on the thumb side) provide rotational motion. The joint is lined with a lubricating tissue called cartilage, which bears weight and cushions joint movement.
There are a number of factors that may contribute to damaged joint cartilage. Damaged cartilage may lead to increased friction between the bones and increased pain. The elbow’s joint cartilage is most commonly damaged by fracture. The cartilage can also be damaged by osteoarthritis (OA), the breakdown of joint cartilage leading to painful bone-on-bone contact, or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Healthy Elbow
Arthritic Elbow
There are a number of factors that may contribute to damaged joint cartilage. Damaged cartilage may lead to increased friction between the bones and increased pain. The elbow’s joint cartilage is most commonly damaged by fracture. The cartilage can also be damaged by osteoarthritis (OA), the breakdown of joint cartilage leading to painful bone-on-bone contact, or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Healthy Elbow
Arthritic Elbow
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