Traumatic elbow arthritis is a secondary sexually transmitted disease change following elbow trauma, primarily characterized by elbow pain and limited mobility. The changes mainly involve softening and detachment of the articular cartilage, hyperplasia and hardening of the subchondral bone, and eventual disappearance of most of the joint surface, leading to narrowing of the joint space.

bubble_chart Pathogenesis

Traumatic elbow arthritis primarily occurs after elbow fractures, dislocations, especially injuries to the articular surface. Poor reduction following articular cartilage injury; or aggressive surgical procedures exacerbating the injury; or malunion of fractures leading to uneven joint loading can ultimately result in traumatic elbow arthritis.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

After an elbow joint injury, patients who have basically recovered their function experience renewed elbow pain and varying degrees of movement impairment, which gradually worsen. The range of flexion and extension becomes increasingly limited, and the pain becomes more pronounced. Early X-ray findings are not obvious, but in advanced stages, subchondral bone sclerosis, osteophyte formation at the joint margins, or narrowing of the joint space may occur.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Conservative treatment: For mild cases, active elbow joint functional exercises can be performed.

2. Surgical treatment: Suitable for severe traumatic arthritis. Surgical methods include elbow joint release, elbow joint arthroplasty, or elbow joint fusion.