Why does my elbow hurt and swell? The reason for this condition will be presented below. We will also tell you about how this pathological phenomenon should be treated, and what symptoms it may accompany.
general information
Swollen elbows periodically bother many people. If this condition does not cause much discomfort, then most of them do not pay any attention to it. But often this phenomenon is accompanied by a significant limitation of the ability to work and motor activity of a person. In this case, you should definitely consult a specialist, since we can talk about the development of rather serious pathologies.
Before telling you about what disease a swollen elbow can talk about, it should be noted that the elbow joint is formed by the articulation of the ulnar, radial and humerus bones. As you know, the surfaces of these articular elements are covered with cartilage, which contributes to a smooth and soft movement of the hand.
Thus, the elbow joint refers to the complex parts of the body. This is partly due to the fact that in its cavity there are 3 more small joints, referred to as: radiolokteva, brachiochnoid and brachioradial.
The main causes of swelling of the elbow
Why did my elbow turn red and swollen? What is the reason for such a pathological phenomenon?
Pain in this part of the body can occur for many different reasons. Conventionally, they are divided into:
- Lesions to bones and articular cartilage (e.g. injuries, chondrocalcinosis, arthritis, gout, arthrosis, synovial chondromatosis, elbow osteophyte, joint swelling).
- Lesions of the musculo-ligamentous system (e.g., tendonitis, bursitis, epicondylitis, cubital canal syndrome, diffuse fasciitis).
- Lesions of CVS and NS (neuritis, intervertebral hernia, neurotrophic arthropathy, spinal osteochondrosis, myocardial infarction, hemophilia).
Consider the features of some diseases in more detail.
Injuries
If you have a swollen elbow joint, then this may indicate any kind of injury.
- Dislocation of the elbow joint occurs as a result of a violation of the relative position and correspondence of the articular surfaces. Common symptoms of this pathological condition include redness of the skin, intense pain, swelling, swelling and a change in the natural forms of the joint.
- Subluxation - manifested by sudden pain in the arm and elbow, as well as limitation of movements in the elbow joint. Most often, children get such an injury.
- Fracture - expressed very intensely. Movements in the hand are almost completely limited, and the joint changes its natural shape dramatically. Very often, this phenomenon is accompanied by bruising caused by rupture of blood vessels.
- Ischemic contracture occurs due to a violation of arterial blood flow in the hand due to damage to blood vessels or squeezing them with increasing edema. Symptoms of this condition are: growing pain that cannot be relieved by analgesics, cooling of the limb, sharp blanching of the skin on the arm, rapidly increasing swelling of the fingers, impaired skin sensitivity, disappearance or weakening of the pulse.
Arthritis and arthrosis
Sometimes a swollen elbow indicates the development of serious diseases.
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint lesion that occurs due to rheumatism, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune pathologies and metabolic disorders. This condition is accompanied by pain not only in the elbow joint, but also in other joints.
As for arthrosis, it is a degenerative joint disease. With her, the discomfort is not as intense as, for example, with arthritis. To the touch, the elbow is almost painless. In this case, no redness and an increase in local skin temperature is observed.
Tendon rupture
Pain in the elbow and arm when the tendon apparatus ruptures often occurs. With this pathology, the patient has a decrease in flexion strength in the elbow, impaired active movements, a change in muscle shape compared to a healthy limb, pain and edema.
Tendinitis
Such a disease is accompanied by inflammation of the tendons. A common symptom of this pathology is pain in the elbow, resulting from active movements. Also, the patient's skin reddens and their temperature rises above the area of inflammation. In addition, with tendonitis, there is a noticeable swelling in the area of the inflamed tendon.
Bursitis
The elbow is swollen, reddened and hot - what could it be? Such symptoms often indicate the development of bursitis. This is inflammation of the periarticular bag (connective tissue), which is accompanied by an accumulation of fluid (exudate) in its cavity.
The main symptom of bursitis is the appearance in the elbow region of a mobile and round swelling, which has a rather soft consistency. This swelling is very painful to feel. Over time, it becomes red or even dark crimson, and also becomes very hot.
Neuritis
Pain in the elbow with neuritis, or the so-called inflammation of the ulnar nerve, is monotonous and aching, and is also very often accompanied by numbness of the fingers and impaired sensitivity. Such a disease can occur as a result of injuries to the hand, hypothermia, compression of the nerve in narrow areas, its friction on bone structures and other things.
An elbow swollen with neuritis is characterized by awkwardness with brush movement, as well as muscle weakness in the upper limb.
Osteochondrosis and hernia of the spine
What to do if the arm above the elbow hurts and swells? First of all, you need to contact a qualified doctor. Typically, such symptoms occur due to damage to the vertebrae of the cervicothoracic region. At the same time, painful sensations are noted not only in the area of the elbow joint, but also spread across the shoulder blades, neck and the entire arm as a whole.
The cause of pain and swelling can be pinching of nerve fibers in osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. In addition to the mentioned signs, such pathology is characterized by the development of atrophy of the biceps of the shoulder, impaired flexion in the elbow and loss of skin sensitivity in the forearm.
Tumor of the elbow joint
The first symptoms of malignancy are fatigue, weakness, spontaneous increase in body temperature, weight loss and appetite. Also, a tumor in the elbow joint is characterized by the appearance of pain. At first, it does not have a pronounced intensity, however, in the process of pathology development, pain sensations become constant, persistent and intensifying, including at night. Such symptoms do not respond to painkillers.
Tumor mass can be detected visually. The affected area swells noticeably. Joint mobility is also limited.
Treatment
Now you know the main reasons for the development of swelling of the elbow joint. So what should you do if you have a severely swollen elbow, the temperature of the skin at the site of the lesion has markedly increased, and other unpleasant symptoms have occurred? How to treat this condition? As a rule, the diagnosis of pain in the hand does not cause difficulties for experienced doctors. This is due to the fact that the elbow joint is well accessible for examination and other diagnostic procedures.
Therapy for swelling and pain in the elbow should be trusted only by professionals. After all, only a qualified doctor can easily identify the cause of the development of this pathological condition, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment. It should be noted that the treatment of this phenomenon may include the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as acupuncture, massage and other physiotherapy.
If the patient does not have the opportunity to consult a specialist in the near future, then to improve the condition, you can take the following measures:
- A swollen and painful elbow joint should be fixed in the most comfortable position of the hand.
- If it is impossible to bend or straighten the upper limb due to its swelling or pain, as well as the inability to stretch it forward, all actions causing unpleasant sensations should be stopped.
- To stop internal bleeding, eliminate edema and reduce pain, ice can be applied to the affected area.
Such actions will significantly facilitate the patient’s condition, which will make it possible to calmly wait for a doctor’s consultation.