The symptoms of elbow osteoarthritis often develop gradually and can vary in severity. Common symptoms include:

• Pain: This is often the most prominent symptom. Pain may worsen with movement, especially when bending or straightening the elbow, or when rotating the forearm. In more advanced stages, pain may be present even at rest or at night.
• Stiffness: The elbow joint may feel stiff, particularly after periods of inactivity, such as in the morning (usually lasting less than 30 minutes). There may be a restricted range of motion, often making it difficult to fully straighten the elbow.
• Reduced Range of Motion: A noticeable decrease in the ability to fully bend or straighten the arm, or to rotate the forearm.
• Grating Sensation (Crepitus): A grinding, cracking, or popping sound or feeling in the joint during movement, due to the bones rubbing against each other.
• Locking or Catching: The elbow joint may temporarily “catch” or “lock” if loose fragments of bone or cartilage become dislodged within the joint.
• Swelling: While not always an initial symptom, swelling around the elbow joint can occur as the disease progresses due to inflammation.
• Weakness: Weakness in the muscles around the elbow due to pain and disuse.
• Ulnar Nerve Symptoms: Swelling or bone spurs can sometimes put pressure on the ulnar nerve (the “funny bone”), leading to tingling, numbness, or weakness in the hand and fingers (typically the ring and pinky fingers).