Pain in the elbow, sometimes exhausting, lengthy, often lead to chronic inflammation. In order to prevent negative effects, maintain the health of both right and left hand, it is necessary not only to make the correct diagnosis, but also to begin timely treatment.
The content of the article:
-
1 The causes of pain in the elbow
- 1.1 Epicondylitis of the elbow joint
- 1.2 synalgia
- 1.3 Osteoarthritis of the elbow joint
- 1.4 Arthritis
- 1.5 injuries
- 1.6 osteochondrosis
- 1.7 Other reasons
- 2 Diagnostics
- 3 prevention
- 4 Principles of effective treatment of joints
- 5 To which the doctor ask
-
6 therapies
- 6.1 Medications
- 6.2 Physiotherapy
- 6.3 Physical exercise
- 6.4 Surgical intervention
- 6.5 folk ways
- 6.6 Other methods
- 7 complications
- 8 Videos about the causes of pain in the elbow
The causes of pain in the elbow
Elbow - a complex compound consisting of several bones that form joints, and prisoners in the joint capsule.
Elbow muscles and tendons that are attached to the bones, are needed to support them. Tendons, as well as the muscles of the elbow have the function of the extensor and flexor. They run and finger movements. tendon flexor attachment point on the inside of the elbow is called the medial epicondylitis. Extensor tendon connects to the bone in the arm side epicondyle.
Discomfort in the elbow, pain developed due to the surge of the forearm muscles, flexors and extensors. This happens during the moving weights, strength training, repetitive movements, prolonged typing.
The main groups of the elbow joint diseases by the nature of defeat:
- Inflammatory.
- Degenerative.
- Acquired as a result of injuries.
- Diseases of the periarticular tissues.
Epicondylitis of the elbow joint
Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly known as "tennis elbow" - is an inflammatory process that occurs in the epicondyle and the attachments thereto tendons. This is the most common form of injury.
When pain is felt side epicondylitis of the elbow and the outside, can move down to the 3rd and 4th fingers of the hands. When lifting an object or seizure, carrying out a circular motion (rotation of the lever, tightening the nuts, playing tennis) muscles tense, and there is pain.
Damage to tendons has several causes:
- microscopic tears;
- destructive process based on the deteriorating state of vessels, collagen disease, extensor muscle overload;
- gipovaskulyarnost (poor circulation in the humerus).
In the acute form there is an inflammation that causes pain around the tendon fibers. If a muscle is injured for a long time rubs against the bony bumps, this leads to a gradual deterioration of the muscles, degeneration of the tendon fibers. In this case the inflammation becomes chronic stage.
Tennis elbow most often occurs in people aged 30-50 years. Athletes are not the only ones who develop the disease. People who carry out work on the same type of movement (plumbers, painters, carpenters), also can buy it.
Epicondylitis can appear for no apparent reason, as a result obtained in the past, sprains and dislocations. Usually the inflammation period is short, 2-3 weeks, and then it can disappear just as suddenly as it had appeared. But epicondylitis can develop gradually, starting with weak pains of growing up.
Symptoms of epicondylitis:
- pain or burning sensation in the outer part of the elbow;
- weakening of grasping function.
Timely access to a doctor can help restore motor function of the elbow and the entire hand.
synalgia
Pain in the elbow can result from a damaged cervical or thoracic spine. In 40% of people with disorders of the spine, the pain begins suddenly, wore a penetrating character, often disturbed at night. It began in the neck, shoulder blades, extended on both elbows, not only when driving but also when at rest.
Pain in the elbow as reflected, can develop under the influence of diseases:
- herniation of intervertebral discs;
- inflammation of the muscles;
- pinching the sciatic nerve;
- sciatica.
Osteoarthritis of the elbow joint
Pain at the elbow of his left hand, right about 10% of the patients correlated with osteoarthritis. Soreness manifested in the extensor and flexor muscles minor.
During the movement of the arms can hear a light crackling sound. Over time, the flexibility of the elbow joint is reduced, its deformation occurs, it becomes impossible to completely bend your arm or she remains in bent position.
Arthritis
Arthritis of the elbow emerges quietly. First, a person begins to respond in the morning or in the bad weather, feeling of malaise in the elbow. In the first stage of the disease the morning the pain goes away quickly, but subsequently tenderness touches thumbs, that it becomes difficult to compress and decompress. Defeat can affect other joints in the body.
Over time, there is a constant pain in nature, both in movement and at rest. At night, increased pain may occur. At the site of inflammation appears swelling, elbow becomes dry, hot, red color.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the disease often becomes chronic. In septic arthritis appear sharp shooting pain in the elbow. This indicates that there was accumulation of pus inside the joint, which is removed by means of operating.
injuries
Pain in the elbow of the right hand may be due to an open or closed injury. Thus there is a sharp pain, numbness of fingers, bruising. The joint becomes immobile, it is not possible to pull or bend the arm. When bone injury may occur in the joint displacement.
The most common cause of injuries - falling by relying on the hands.
osteochondrosis
Violation of mobility, stabbing pains signal the beginning "osteochondrosis dissecans". The disease is caused by emergence of free fragment cartilage (articular mouse), separated from the synovial membrane, roaming in a capsule cavity.
When driving, it causes blockage in the joint, or damages the articular cartilage. The nature of pain, limited mobility, depending on the position of the mouse. The causes of the phenomenon - injuries, injuries in the fall.
Other reasons
Among the many causes of violations in the joint stand of defeat ulnar nerves:
- Ulnar tunnel syndrome. Pain as lumbago propagating along the forearm, hand numbness, tingling in the fingers indicates that pinched ulnar nerve. it often affects people who have to sit for a long time, leaning her elbows on a solid surface.
- The syndrome of the radial nerve. A rare lesion characterized by compression of the radial nerve. Elbow joint is solidified by limiting the motor function of the hands, the back of the joint there is pain, aggravated by straightening the arms and capture the subject.
- Gout, appearing on his toes, wrists, and can affect the elbow joint. The excess uric acid in the articular cavities leads to inflammation. For gout is characterized by throbbing pain, swollen, red, hot joint. This often happens after reception orotic drugs, excessive consumption of meat products, alcohol.
In parallel with arthritis may develop inflammation of periarticular serous bags, which leads to bursitis. For zabolevaaniya characterized by the appearance on the rear side of the elbow hemispherical formation filled with the accumulated liquid.
The causes of the disease:
- joint injury;
- sustained military pressure on the joint;
- infection;
- rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is based on information from:
- Physical examination.
- Laboratory tests. They include blood tests, urine tests, determination of liver function disorders, kidney, joint fluid selection, in rare cases, a genetic test.
- X-ray - one of the best ways to joint imaging. When structural changes in the joint, signs of erosion, rupture of soft tissue inflammation, appointed by the examination by means of ultrasound or MRI.
After passing the tests chosen therapy is effective or given a referral to another doctor.
prevention
To prevent inflammation and chronic diseases should:
- do daily workout for the hands;
- competently perform the trade union movement, sport exercises;
- exercise done only under supervision of a specialist;
- pay attention to the emerging pockets of infection and treat them in a timely manner;
- regularly take vitamin complexes;
- learn how to distribute power loads without surge separate groups of muscles;
- sitting at a computer to learn how to keep your hands in the correct, neutral, apply the gel pads for hands, take it easy, by pressing the keyboard, mouse;
- use clamps or elbow-eights bandages.
Principles of effective treatment of joints
Pain in the elbow of his left hand more often treated conservatively. Sometimes the pain disappears, the person calms down, but it does not mean that the disease has receded. That inflammatory processes are not moved into a chronic form, it is necessary to fully pass the doctor prescribed treatment and physiotherapy.
In the course of conservative treatment of the pain goes away in 1-2 weeks. Local injection, the maximum point painful, is performed in case of further exacerbation of the disease. For complex Abuse proposed surgery.
To which the doctor ask
Prolonged pain in the elbow - it is an occasion to visit, first of all, the therapist. After checking analyzes and tests the doctor will determine the cause or refer for further survey to doctors:
- rheumatologist;
- orthopedic;
- a neurologist;
- osteopath.
The pain, which arose at the elbow right or left hand, in rare cases associated with metabolic disorders. In this case, help endocrinologist.
therapies
Each stage of the disease and recovery requires different treatments:
- Removing inflammation through non-steroidal ointments and gels;
- creating immobility patient body using light splints;
- cold treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy;
- reflexology;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy or Cryomassage;
- wearing retainers, braces elbow (if necessary).
Medications
Inflammatory processes in the elbow can be cured via compresses, rest. But sometimes it requires the use of pain medications, administering injections. Drug treatment is assigned a doctor and includes anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, hormonal agents (as necessary).
Nonsteroidal drugs:
types of inflammation | anti-inflammatory |
Tendinitis, bursitis, tendonitis, bursitis | ibuprofen orally administered 8 mg / day 3, ointment - Outdoor |
Arthrosis, arthritis, neuralgia, damage of joints and ligaments | piroxicam orally - as directed by the physician Ointment - Outdoor |
Gout, neuralgia, damage of joints and ligaments | diclofenac 25-50 mg orally 2-3 times a day ointment - Outdoor |
Articular syndrome, uncomplicated injury | Ketaprofen Orally - 150 mg 1 time / day Gel - Outdoor |
Pain syndrome different etymology | celecoxib Capsule - 100-200 mg in 1 or 2 Hour acute pain 400mg odnorazovo |
Osteoarthritis, neuralgia, damage of joints and ligaments | ketorolac g / injection solution Max. dose - 90 mg, job - 10-30 mg 4-6 hour intervals. |
Gouty arthritis, symptomatic therapy | naproxen Orally - 0.5-0.75 g in the acute stage 2 times per day Supportive therapy - 500 mg 2 reception in the morning and evening |
it is recommended to use analgesics for the treatment of acute pain:
- Tramadol is taken by a doctor, the dose is adjusted individually.
- Paracetamol, an analgesic drug for relief of pain, taken 4 times a day for 0.5-1 tab., But not more than 4 years
To restore the cartilage structure to take the drug:
- Chondroitin sulfate;
- Glucosamine sulfate.
They penetrate into the bone matrix structure and affect the metabolic process.
Hormonal (glucocorticoid) medication prescribed for blockades:
- Triamcinolone.
- Diprospan.
- Hydrocortisone.
- Prednisolone.
With intense pain prescribed injection therapy. Therapeutic blockade carried out a one-off, at the beginning of treatment. The drug is administered near the inflamed tendon. 7-9 days, if necessary, a second injection. Frequent closures are not recommended due to the potential atrophy epicondyle. In the chronic form of inflammation, this therapy is contraindicated.
Physiotherapy
Good effect for the restoration of the elbow joint performance given:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis, using papain;
- laser reconstitution efficiency;
- balneotherapy (sodium chloride baths).
Physical exercise
Physical training classes are held in a state of remission, after the acute stage of inflammation.
Well established exercises with a rubber band. This tape is available in orthopedic shops. It comes in different colors, each color corresponds to rigidity. Yellow tape stretched all the easier. When choosing a tape should be considered fizichsekuyu load, which can be used in the patient's hand. A suitable length for exercise - 1.5 m.
To begin the exercise should be a physiotherapist after tips that will determine individual load.
Surgical intervention
If all the above methods of treatment is not given within 6 months of a positive result, then assigned surgical treatment, but it is performed only in extreme cases. Pre-treatment is discussed with a doctor orthopedist. The reducing post-operative period is 4 to 6 months.
Operating methods:
- Arthroscopy. Using this method, the free body was removed from the joint space and restore the cartilage damage and adhesions removed bone fragmentation effects. This method is used during the examination of the elbow joint. The operation is performed through the incision and insertion within 2.7 mm of the optical system. Within a few weeks the joint can be given a full load or return to sporting activities.
- Repoziya. It is carried out in cases of dislocation or fracture of the elbow.
- Recovery ligaments. During the operation of the elbow joint prosthesis implanted. Rehabilitation takes a long time.
- Transposition. Rarely conducted operation at appointed tunnel syndrome. In epicondyle region is cut and carried nerve movement.
- Bursectomy. Carried out in the treatment of chronic or acute forms bursitis. The disadvantage of this operation that is necessary to excise a lot of soft tissue, and it often leads to fester, long-term healing, the development of postoperative contracture (immobility) elbow joint.
folk ways
Pain in the elbow of the right hand can be alleviated by using the available home remedies:
- Infusion of spruce cones. Fresh pine fir cones or brewed in boiling water, to insist for some time. The infusion is used as a compress.
- Sea salt. Cloth sack filled with salt, warmed up to 70 ° C. Applying to the sore spot, and in order to avoid burns, it is necessary to put a linen cloth under it. Dissolve the salt in warm water and dipped in a cup with mortar elbow for some time. This bath can be done several times a day.
- Juice of celandine. Juice to moisten the cloth and apply a compress on the affected area.
- White and red clay. The medical grind the clay in warm water to gruel state, to impose on the gauze and do compress the affected area. After 1-2 hours, removed, rinsed with warm water elbow.
- Propolis. Sunflower oil (50g) to connect with propolis (50 g) and heat the mixture to cool and rub resulting ointment overnight.
Other methods
The number of helper methods for pain relief include:
- Ice wraps. On the affected area 1-2 times a day can be applied with ice bag and keeping it for at least 10 min.
- Cooling gels. Superimposed on the inflamed area 2-4 times a day.
- Orthez, special bandage. To relieve tension from the elbow, hands when performing routine functions, to wear a bandage. She fastened under the elbow joint, thus giving the rest the tendon.
- Kinezioteypirovanie. At the site of inflammation using a specially treated elastic adhesive tape. They stimulate skin receptors, improve blood circulation, relieve pain.
For non-drug agents also include:
- physical therapy;
- swimming;
- weight loss;
- acupuncture;
- massotherapy.
complications
Without proper treatment of inflammatory processes can lead to complications:
- degenerative changes in the tendons;
- numbness of fingers and elbow;
- contracture of the muscles of the elbow;
- progressive arthritis;
- problems with the ability of functioning at home and at work.
In order to prevent pain in the elbow, it is necessary to strengthen the muscles of the right and left hands, wrists, back, shoulders. This will help prevent injuries. During repetitive work to give discharge to the shoulder girdle and hands.
Author: Anna Belyaeva
Videos about the causes of pain in the elbow
Treatment of pain in the elbow: