Arthrose du coude

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the elbow is a rare condition affecting predominantly middle-aged men. The risk factors are mainly traumas (fractures or dislocation) or occupational or sport overuse. In practice, progressive limited movement and pain at use, eventually with episodes of locking and ulnar nerve irritation, characterize elbow OA. Standard X-rays show the radiohumeral compartment is involved first and depict the osteophytes while narrowing of the joint space is delayed. Loose bodies are frequently observed. Medical treatment usually combined analgesics, NSAIDs and eventually steroid intra-articular injection. Surgery is proposed (either open surgery or arthroscopy) with arthroplastic procedures (debridement of osteophytes and removal of loose bodies ± decompression of the ulnar nerve). In case of advanced OA, interposition arthroplasty should be performed before 60s and total elbow replacement after.