Elbow epicondylitis belongs to the group of inflammatory lesions of a degenerative nature that occur in the area of the musculoskeletal system. According to experts, in the pathogenesis of this disease, two factors are of particular importance - tissue destruction and the subsequent inflammatory process.
general information
Elbow epicondylitis is an inflammatory disease that is localized mainly in the area of the junction of the muscles, as well as the bones of the forearm. Specialists distinguish an acute and subacute form of the disease. Acute epicondylitis, as a rule, develops due to mechanical damage and is characterized by severe pain. The subacute form is often asymptomatic, manifesting discomfort in the affected area during exercise.
Classification
In modern medicine, based on the affected area, internal (medial) and external (lateral) epicondylitis are distinguished. Below we consider each option in more detail.
The most common lateral epicondylitis of the elbow joint. The reasons for its development lie in constant congestion and tendon injuries. Patients, as a rule, complain of pain during flexion of the arm, which can give out to the outer region of the shoulder. Discomfort often increases with clenching your fingers into a fist or with a normal handshake. The pain disappears at rest. Experts warn: if you do not treat the elbow joint, diseases of this nature can result in very unpleasant consequences.
The medial version of the disease implies an inflammatory process in the muscles that are responsible for extension and subsequent flexion of the hand. As a rule, this kind of pathology is diagnosed in people whose direct activity is associated with the monotonous work of the muscles of the hand (for example, seamstresses). With this type of ailment, pain is felt mainly on the inside of the joint.
Causes
Epicondylitis is considered a secondary disease, the main causes of the development of which remain poorly understood. According to experts, this pathology develops due to mechanical damage to the tendons, as a result of which friction occurs directly on the bone tissue itself. Other doctors call other factors that provoke elbow joint epicondylitis . The causes of the pathology, according to them, lie in the inflammation of the periosteum or are a complication after osteochondrosis.
Doctors call several groups of patients who are more prone to the development of this ailment. These primarily include agricultural workers, builders and athletes. Of course, employment in a particular field of activity cannot provoke the appearance of symptoms of the disease. However, regular flexion and subsequent extension of the elbow joint with an appropriate load on the arm itself can indeed lead to the formation of pathology.
Symptoms
Epicondylitis is manifested primarily in pain. Initially, discomfort occurs in the elbow joint with a certain load. All passive movements should not cause discomfort, which allows the doctor to exclude arthritis or arthrosis. Quite often, the patient finds it difficult to show exactly where he has pain.
Characteristic of the external form of the disease is a symptom of a handshake. As the name implies, the patient experiences discomfort during a regular handshake. In addition, pain may occur when trying to raise a cup of tea.
This is how external epicondylitis of the elbow joint is characterized. Symptoms of the internal form of the disease are similar, but differ in localization. Pathology manifests itself in the area of the so-called medial epicondyle of the shoulder bone, and the pain itself occurs exclusively when performing opposite movements (flexion and pronation of the forearm).
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease begins with a detailed survey of the patient. The doctor specifies when the primary symptoms began to appear, whether they were preceded by a mechanical injury, during which movements discomfort occurs.
Then the elbow joint itself is examined directly. Diseases of this nature always require the use of functional diagnostic methods (x-ray, ultrasound, MRI). Only after all these procedures, the doctor can recommend appropriate therapy.
Drug treatment
First of all, it should be noted that therapy can only be started after consultation with a specialist. Do not self-medicate. The thing is that such a practice, as a rule, ends with the development of rather serious complications. Treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint with folk remedies should also be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Therapy of this disease, as a rule, begins with a change in the patient’s lifestyle. For example, the affected limb should constantly be completely at ease; sharp movements should not be allowed to provoke the appearance of painful discomfort. Athletes are advised to postpone training for a while. Unfortunately, this is far from always possible, therefore, such patients should immobilize the affected area. For these purposes, special regulatory devices and well-known gypsum dressings are used today.
Drug treatment implies the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments and tablets (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen preparations). In some cases, local injections of glucocorticosteroids along with anesthetics are used.
Set of special exercises
How to treat elbow epicondylitis? Therapeutic gymnastics has proven itself in the fight against this pathology. Initially, it is very important to choose an effective set of exercises. That is why in this case one cannot do without qualified specialist assistance. Moreover, self-study and improper exercise can only harm the body. Exercises for this disease are aimed at stretching and relaxing muscles and tendons at the same time.
Treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint with folk remedies
Patients most often resort to traditional medicine when drug therapy and special exercises do not have a positive effect. Below we list the most common treatment options.
- Clay warming. This recipe is not recommended for acute inflammation. 200 ml of boiling water should be mixed with 200 g of blue clay (it is sold in each pharmacy) and transfer the resulting mass to a two-layer cheesecloth. The compress can be kept for no more than 30 minutes, then it should be changed. Such sessions can be carried out three times a day for one week.
- Milk compress. Heat the milk to 60 degrees and dissolve propolis in it (one teaspoon per 100 ml of liquid). Then it is necessary to saturate the gauze dressing with milk, wrap the affected joint with it. This kind of compress is recommended to be repeated twice a day.
- Bay oil. 4 tablespoons of bay leaf chopped in a blender must be mixed with 200 g of vegetable oil and pour into an airtight container. This mixture is recommended to be kept warm for one week. Then it must be rubbed into the affected area or used for compresses.
Treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint with folk remedies, as a rule, is very effective. In any case, even such therapy should not be resorted to without the advice of a doctor.
Conclusion
Epicondylitis is highly treatable. It is not difficult for an experienced specialist to diagnose him in a timely manner, and then recommend appropriate therapy. In the case of individual intolerance to certain drugs, the doctor, as a rule, offers treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint with folk remedies. It is safe to say that most patients achieve a full recovery. The main thing is to turn to a specialist in time and follow all his recommendations.