Why Does My Elbow Lock Up? Causes and What to Do
The sensation of an elbow “locking up” describes an experience where the joint abruptly ceases to move freely. This can manifest as a temporary inability to fully straighten or bend the arm, often accompanied by a feeling of something obstructing the joint’s smooth motion. While sometimes a minor, transient issue, elbow locking can also signal a more significant underlying problem within the joint.
What Elbow Locking Feels Like
Elbow locking often begins with a sudden, sharp restriction of movement. Individuals might describe a feeling of something “catching” or “getting stuck” inside the joint, preventing full extension or flexion of the arm. This mechanical block can be immediate, or it might follow an audible click, pop, or grinding sensation within the elbow. The arm may feel temporarily frozen, requiring gentle manipulation or a slight shake to release the joint.
This sensation differs from general stiffness or pain-induced guarding, where muscles tense to protect an injured area. True mechanical locking implies a physical obstruction within the joint space. It can also involve a momentary “giving way” where the elbow feels unstable before locking, indicating an issue with the joint’s structural integrity. These sensations help distinguish true mechanical locking from other forms of elbow discomfort.
Common Reasons for Elbow Locking
Elbow locking often results from mechanical interference within the joint. One common cause is “loose bodies,” small fragments of cartilage or bone floating within the elbow joint’s synovial fluid. These fragments can originate from various sources. When a loose body becomes entrapped between the articulating surfaces of the humerus, radius, and ulna, it can physically block joint movement, causing a sudden lock.
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, frequently contributes to elbow locking. As the protective cartilage within the joint wears down, bone-on-bone friction increases, leading to the formation of bone spurs, known as osteophytes. These bony growths can protrude into the joint space and interfere with the smooth gliding motion of the bones. An elbow can lock when an osteophyte impinges on another bone or soft tissue during movement, limiting range of motion.
Past traumatic injuries, such as elbow fractures or dislocations, can predispose the joint to future locking episodes. Even after initial healing, scar tissue may remain within the joint, acting as mechanical impediments. Altered joint mechanics following such injuries can also cause the joint to momentarily “catch” or feel unstable, leading to a locking sensation.
Plica syndrome involves the inflammation and thickening of naturally occurring folds in the synovial lining of the joint, called plicae. An inflamed plica can become pinched between the bones during elbow movement. This pinching action can mimic a mechanical lock, often accompanied by pain and clicking as the plica snaps into or out of position.
Ligamentous instability, resulting from stretched or torn ligaments, can cause the elbow to lock or feel as if it is locking. When ligaments are compromised, the bones of the elbow joint may shift abnormally during movement. This excessive motion can lead to temporary impingement or subluxation, where the joint partially dislocates and then reduces, creating a locking sensation.
When Professional Medical Help is Needed
Immediate consultation with a healthcare provider is advisable if the elbow locking is persistent. Severe pain, a complete inability to move the arm, or any visible deformity of the elbow joint after an injury also warrant urgent medical evaluation. New numbness or tingling in the arm or hand accompanying the locking sensation suggests potential nerve involvement.
Seeking medical advice is also prudent if locking episodes are recurring, even if they resolve on their own. Locking accompanied by swelling, warmth around the joint, or a noticeable decrease in arm strength should prompt a visit to a doctor. If elbow locking interferes with daily activities or work, or if home remedies like rest and ice have not provided relief, a professional diagnosis is crucial to identify the cause and guide appropriate management.
How Elbow Locking is Diagnosed and Managed
Diagnosing the cause of elbow locking typically begins with a comprehensive physical examination. The doctor will assess the elbow’s range of motion, palpate the joint for tenderness or swelling, and perform specific tests to evaluate ligament stability and identify any mechanical blocks. A detailed patient history, including information about past injuries, the nature of the locking sensation, and any accompanying symptoms, is also gathered.
Imaging studies are frequently used to visualize the internal structures of the elbow joint. X-rays can reveal bone spurs, fractures, or loose bone fragments. For more detailed soft tissue assessment, such as examining cartilage, ligaments, or synovial folds, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is often utilized. In some cases, a computed tomography (CT) scan may be performed to provide a highly detailed view of bone structures and identify subtle loose bodies.
Management for elbow locking varies depending on the underlying cause and symptom severity. Conservative management is often the first line of treatment, involving rest, applying ice to reduce inflammation, and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage pain and swelling. Physical therapy can also be beneficial, focusing on exercises to improve joint mobility, strengthen surrounding muscles, and restore normal function. In some instances, a brace may be recommended to stabilize the joint and limit movements that trigger locking.
Corticosteroid injections directly into the joint can help reduce inflammation and pain, particularly when inflamed soft tissues like plicae contribute to locking. If conservative measures prove ineffective or if a clear mechanical obstruction, such as a large loose body or significant bone spurs, is identified, surgical intervention may be necessary. Elbow arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, allows surgeons to visualize the joint’s interior, remove loose bodies, trim bone spurs, or repair damaged ligaments through small incisions.