Elbow stiffness or tightness

Also known as Stiff Elbow

What causes it?

The most common causes of elbow stiffness or tightness are sprain or strain, fracture of the arm, and osteoarthritis. Other possible causes, such as pyogenic skin infection, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with elbow stiffness or tightness, 87% report having elbow pain, 53% report having hand or finger stiffness or tightness, and 36% report having foot or toe stiffness or tightness.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with elbow stiffness or tightness often receive plain x-ray, radiographic imaging procedure, application of splint, physical therapy exercises, other diagnostic procedures (interview; evaluation; consultation), other or therapeutic nervous system procedures, traction; splints; and other wound care and excision .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with elbow stiffness or tightness include oxaprozin, fluorouracil, calcium carbonate, chlorpheniramine / phenindamine / phenylpropanolamine, mecamylamine, grepafloxacin (raxar), malathion topical, gemtuzumab (mylotarg), gadoteridol (prohance), carbinoxamine / dextromethorphan / phenylephrine, devil's claw preparation, isocarboxazid (marplan) and medrysone ophthalmic .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for elbow stiffness or tightness include race/ethnicity = other, sex == male and age 5-14 years. On the other hand, age 75+ years and age 1-4 years almost never get elbow stiffness or tightness.