Managing Elbow Arthritis: Occupational Therapy for Daily Tasks
Janet’s elbow (her name has been changed) started giving her trouble when she turned 65. Within a few years, she received her official osteoarthritis diagnosis. While she was troubled at first–after all, she used her arm every day for hundreds of different reasons–she was relieved to learn that she had options for managing her symptoms, such as occupational therapy for elbow arthritis.
Occupational therapy is a specialized healthcare field focused on helping you perform day-to-day tasks. At Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab, we offer it as part of our focus on the upper extremities–that is, your hands, wrists, elbow, and shoulders.
The upper extremities are quite complex. They’re also interconnected. The arthritis in Janet’s elbow made it challenging for her to use her wrists and hands, which meant she struggled to cook meals, complete chores, and even engage in her favorite recreational activities.
Fortunately, our team of hand and occupational therapists came to her rescue with a personalized treatment plan. Through targeted exercises, all-natural pain relief options, and more, Janet was able to manage her elbow arthritis and live a rich, happy life.
Curious to know more about occupational therapy for elbow arthritis? Keep reading!
Understanding Elbow Arthritis
Arthritis is an umbrella term for over a hundred different conditions, all of which cause joint pain and inflammation. Janet had osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that occurs when the cartilage in the elbow joint gradually breaks down. This causes the bones to rub against each other, leading to stiffness and pain during activity.
The most common reason for osteoarthritis is aging, which is why Janet started experiencing symptoms when she was in her sixties.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis by far, but rheumatoid arthritis is also relatively common. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints. This leads to inflammation, pain, and, eventually, joint damage. It’s generally caused by genetic factors, and you may notice additional symptoms, such as swelling or fatigue.
While arthritis has no cure, you can manage your symptoms through regular physical activity. That’s where Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab comes in.
Managing Elbow Arthritis with Occupational Therapy
We work one-on-one with our patients to develop personalized treatment plans to help reduce arthritis pain, get them moving regularly, and continue to perform everyday tasks.
Our first order of business is usually acute pain management, as this will make the rest of your therapy much more comfortable. We typically use manual therapy to accomplish this. These various hands-on techniques can include mobilization of the elbow joint or manipulation of the muscles and tendons in the arm. We might also suggest additional pain-relieving modalities, such as hot or cold therapy.
Once we’ve found options that help manage your pain, we can move on to a tailored exercise program focused on stretching and strengthening the elbow and arm. We’ll show you which exercises to perform and will increase the intensity as you improve.
Generally, we start with mobility work and then move on to strength-training exercises. Strengthening your arm and upper body helps alleviate pressure from the elbow joint.
In addition to general exercise, we’ll also help you with functional training. This involves helping you perform everyday movements with your upper extremities. We might literally “train” you in specific movements. Still, we can also help you adopt modifications, orthotic devices, or mobility aids to make life easier and keep you independent for as long as possible.
Living with Elbow Arthritis? Schedule an Appointment Today!
Occupational therapy for elbow arthritis is one of the best ways to manage your symptoms. With regular exercise and a little help from the Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab team, you can live a full, healthy life.
To get started, schedule an initial consultation at our FL clinic today!