Arthritis happens when the smooth cartilage that cushions the elbow joint wears away or the joint becomes inflamed. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions can all affect the elbow, and common signs include:

• Elbow pain: An ache deep in the joint that is felt with use and, as arthritis advances, sometimes at rest or at night.
  • Pain often worsens with lifting, carrying, pushing up from a chair or repetitive arm motion.
• Stiffness and limited motion: Difficulty fully straightening or bending the elbow, or turning the forearm.
• Swelling: Puffiness around the joint, sometimes with warmth or tenderness.
• Grinding, catching or locking: A rough or crunching feeling, or the joint briefly catching or locking as it moves.
• Weakness and reduced function: Trouble gripping, lifting or reaching because the elbow hurts or no longer moves well.
  • Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers can accompany elbow arthritis when nearby nerves are irritated, which is one reason an exam matters.

The right treatment depends on which type of arthritis you have, how advanced it is, and how much it limits your daily life. Most patients begin with non-surgical care. Dr. Yaffe’s options include:

• Non-surgical care: Rest and activity changes, ice, bracing or splinting, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and injections to reduce inflammation. These measures aim to relieve pain and keep the elbow moving, and they can be effective, particularly in earlier stages.
• Surgical treatment: When non-surgical measures no longer control pain, surgery can relieve pain and improve function. The specific procedure depends on how advanced the arthritis is and your goals, and may range from arthroscopic procedures for some patients to elbow joint replacement for severe joint damage.
• Joint Replacement Surgery(opens in a new tab): For severe arthritis or joint damage, an artificial implant can replace the worn elbow joint to restore function and relieve pain. Dr. Yaffe will discuss whether replacement is appropriate for you and what to expect afterward.
• Biologic Injection Therapy(opens in a new tab): Orthobiologic injections, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), can be considered for some patients with early arthritis. Whether this is a good fit for your elbow depends on your exam and imaging.

Surgery is considered when pain continues despite non-surgical treatment and limits what you need to do each day. There is no single right time, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation with X-rays is the way to confirm your diagnosis and the best plan for you.

About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)