Can't Straighten my Elbow | Arthritis Information
Since getting RA, my left elbow has gradually begun to permanently remain in a bent position. To be more precise, standing straight with both arms straight down, my elbow just won't straighten up. It doesn't hurt unless I try to straightened it. It's just my left elbow, the right one is fine.
Should I be concerned? Do you think it will get any worse so that it's so visible, people will think I am deformed?
My wrist is the same way, except it won't bend. I still haven't gotten straight answers from my doctor about how permanent this is. I think you can do PT to retain the range of motion you have, but if it is still inflammed that is a tough call (my ortho recommended it, my RD said whatever you do take it super super easy)Hi Cindy, does your RD know about this? Sounds like you should have a course of gentle PT. What meds are you on? LindyMy insurance won't cover physical therapy. = (
I am on prednisone, plaquenil, methotextrate, fish oil, calcium, and fosamax.
Its one thing to have people think you are deformed its another when you can't feed yourself or deal with personal hygeine because you can't bend your arm far enough.
ROM loss is nothing to be treated casually it is always of concern. Its more than looks its how you function day to day. ROM loss can be insisdious so you need to battle it at the beginning. . You need to find out if this is is due to current inflammtion or permanant damage. If its inflammtion then a cortisone injection will help. If its damage you really need to get to a physical therapist, even if you have to pay for a visit out of pocket so that you don't lose any more motion. beleive me when I say its cheaper to pay them now then to lose the ability to move your elbow
buckeye2008-07-10 11:56:02Your insurance has no physical therapy benefits at all? Not even when prescribed by an MD for a diganosed condition? If there truly is no benefits, take Buckeye's suggestion about paying out of pocket for a couple of PT sessions and then start doing them on your own at home. It's better than none at all. Your RD probably should order an xray or scan to determine if it's inflammation or damage. You need to call your RD and discuss all of this. Lindy
My elbows do that. Mine go a little straighter when inflammation is down, but thet never unbend all the way straight and have not since I was a kid.
My new nuerologist said my right wrist is fused and asked if I got it fused. I told him nope, fractured it when I was in 7th grade and it has been like that every since. He said so your body aided in fusing it to heal it. I said I guess.
Hope you can find out if you can do PT, might benefit from it.
joonie2008-07-10 21:07:23Welcome to my world lol.
I have been living for over 3yrs with a bent elbow and nobody ever noticed until i told them because my arms are always always bent in some way.
The ra in my elbow is so bad that sometimes it is really bent or slightly. Comes and goes and the pain is so horrible that a brace is what i have to wear in order to lift things.
My elbow I broke in '06 actually extends better now, then before breaking it and having a rod and screws to fix the break. Yep. But when inflammation is rampant, that is my most painful elbow too.
My elbows have done that too. Nothing permanent though. They always go back to normal after the swelling goes down. My shoulders also have severe limitations in my ROM. So limited thatd even personal task are next to impossible to accomplish. As a matter of fact my jaw did that once too, scared the you know what out of me. After a few hours it was ok though. I have never really talked to RD about it I probably should. I am not sure if my insurance covers PT though or how much. Also I am already missing so much work due to RA related stuff it isn't funny.
I have that very same problem and have went to several doctors for several months to finally learn I have reactive arthritis. Any advice? Does the elbow eventually go back to normal or will I be disabled forever? Can surgery help?epends on if the elbow is damaged or not...what condition is the actual joint in? have you done any physical therapy to work on your range of motion? there are sugeries that are available but best is to work on thatROM without invading the joint
I would consult with my doctor -- perhaps an ortho doc can give you a sterioid shot that will ease it back in place.
My elbows tend to get stuck in a bent position, too. And it hurts like hell to get them unbent! I would definitely take everyone's advice: find out if it's inflammation and if so, pursue a cortisone injection OR AND work on getting a couple of PT visits. Even going once could help you learn the proper methods of movement and help you get your range of motion back. My suggestion is don't wait! Hope you find some relief soon!
changed "or" to "and" as i think both an injection and pt would be beneficial
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