Elbow Arthritis and Elbow Pain Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
Non-surgical elbow care with Dr. Jorge A. Gonzalez, MD, triple board-certified
Elbow arthritis causes a painful, stiff elbow. It can make it hard to fully straighten or bend the arm, lift, carry bags or reach your mouth.
At the Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM), Dr. Jorge Gonzalez, MD at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale finds the cause of your elbow pain with an exam and an ultrasound scan in the office. He then offers therapy, guided injections and, for some patients, PRP.
Important Notice from IROSM: Your treatment plan is made for you by Dr. Jorge Gonzalez. After an exam at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale, he will tell you which option fits your elbow, including when surgery is the better choice.
What Is Elbow Arthritis?
The ends of the bones in a joint are covered with smooth cartilage, a firm, slippery cushion that lets the joint glide. In arthritis, this cushion wears thin. The joint can become swollen, stiff and sore, and small bone spurs can form.
Elbow arthritis is less common than knee or hip arthritis. It usually has one of three causes:
Wear and tear (osteoarthritis): most often in people who have done heavy lifting or hard throwing for years.
An old injury: a past fracture or dislocation can lead to arthritis years later.
Inflammatory arthritis: conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, where the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining.
Elbow Arthritis Symptoms
Pain at the end of bending or straightening the arm
Stiffness, or not being able to fully straighten the elbow
Grinding, catching or locking
Swelling around the joint
Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, if swelling presses on the nearby nerve
Tingling in the small fingers can also come from the ulnar nerve on its own. See cubital tunnel syndrome.
Elbow Pain Treatment in Fort Lauderdale: Finding the Cause
Not all elbow pain is arthritis. Dr. Gonzalez uses an ultrasound scan in the office to look at the tendons, ligaments, nerve and joint while you move your arm. X-rays show the bones and any bone spurs. Together they help tell arthritis apart from:
A strained or torn ligament on the inside of the elbow in throwers. See Tommy John (UCL) injury.
Nerve or Cyst
A pinched ulnar nerve, or a fluid-filled lump near the joint. See synovial cysts.
Elbow Arthritis Treatment Options
Many people with early elbow arthritis get relief without surgery. Options at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale may include:
Activity changes: easing off heavy lifting or the movements that hurt, while keeping the elbow moving.
Therapy: gentle exercises to keep the motion you have and strengthen the arm.
Medicine: anti-inflammatory pills or creams, if they are safe for you. Ask your doctor first.
Guided injections: a cortisone injection placed while watching on ultrasound can ease pain and swelling for a while.
PRP: for some patients, PRP (made from your own blood) or other treatments made from your own cells may be considered. Research on these for the elbow is still limited, and results vary. See PRP therapy in Fort Lauderdale.
Some people are in a “treatment gap”: simple care has not helped enough, but they are not ready for surgery. In this video, Dr. Gonzalez explains the treatment gap in orthopedics.
If pain and stiffness keep limiting your life despite non-surgical care, surgery may be the better fit. Options range from a keyhole clean-out of bone spurs and loose pieces to an elbow joint replacement in some older patients. Dr. Gonzalez will explain why and help with a referral to an orthopedic surgeon.
What the Research Says About Elbow Arthritis Treatment
Non-surgical care first: A review in the Journal of Hand Surgery explains that elbow arthritis causes a painful, stiff elbow, and that non-surgical care can ease symptoms for most people in the early stages. Surgery depends on the cause, how severe the arthritis is, and the person’s age and activity level. Papatheodorou LK, et al. Elbow arthritis: current concepts. J Hand Surg Am. 2013;38(3):605-613. View the study.
Gel injections in the elbow: In a small study of 19 elbows with arthritis after an old injury, gel (hyaluronic acid) injections gave only slight, short-term pain relief, and no benefit was seen at 6 months. This is one reason injection choices for the elbow are made case by case. van Brakel RW, Eygendaal D. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is not effective for the treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the elbow. Arthroscopy. 2006;22(11):1199-1203. View the study.
Elbow Pain Treatment in Fort Lauderdale
Providing elbow arthritis and elbow pain treatment to residents in Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Lauderdale Lakes, Pompano Beach, and Broward County. For our Hialeah office, se habla español.
Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
3333 West Commercial Blvd, Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 751-6990
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Arthritis at IROSM
How is arthritis in the elbow treated?
How is arthritis in the elbow treated?
Most people start with activity changes, therapy to keep the elbow moving, and medicine if it is safe for them. A guided cortisone injection can ease pain for a while. For some patients, PRP may be considered. Dr. Gonzalez at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale explains which options fit you.
What does elbow arthritis feel like?
What does elbow arthritis feel like?
It usually causes pain at the end of bending or straightening the arm, stiffness, and sometimes grinding or catching. Many people cannot fully straighten the elbow.
Is there a regenerative treatment for elbow arthritis?
Is there a regenerative treatment for elbow arthritis?
PRP and other treatments made from your own cells may be considered for some patients. Research on them for the elbow is still limited, and results vary. Dr. Gonzalez reviews whether they fit your elbow.
What else can cause elbow pain?
What else can cause elbow pain?
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, a ligament injury, a pinched ulnar nerve and cysts can all cause elbow pain. An exam and an ultrasound scan in the office help find the cause.
When is surgery needed for elbow arthritis?
When is surgery needed for elbow arthritis?
Surgery may be considered when pain and stiffness keep limiting daily life despite non-surgical care. If surgery is the better fit, Dr. Gonzalez explains why and helps with a referral.
Is elbow arthritis treatment covered by insurance?
Is elbow arthritis treatment covered by insurance?
Coverage depends on the treatment and your plan. Office visits, imaging, therapy and cortisone injections are often covered, while PRP usually is not. Our team explains costs clearly before any treatment begins.
Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?
Do I need a referral to be seen at IROSM?
It depends on your insurance. Many HMO, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans need a referral from your primary care doctor before you see a specialist. Please check with your plan, or call us at (954) 751-6990 before your visit to confirm.
Find Out What Is Causing Your Elbow Pain
Triple board-certified · Fellowship-trained at the Andrews Institute · Fort Lauderdale & Hialeah
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jorge Gonzalez at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale for an in-office ultrasound of your elbow and a clear treatment plan.
Medically reviewed by:Dr. Jorge A. Gonzalez, MD Institute: Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
Last reviewed: September 2026
Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice. Individual patient outcomes will vary. Elbow arthritis treatment at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale requires a clinical examination by Dr. Jorge Gonzalez to establish candidacy. Serving Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Plantation, and surrounding Broward County communities.
