Pain in the elbow joint is a symptom that every person encounters at least once in a lifetime. The causes of pain in the elbow are many, and each of them requires a certain treatment. If the elbow in the joint hurts even at rest, you should immediately consult a doctor.
How is the elbow joint?
The joint is a movable joint of the bones of the skeleton. The elbow joint is formed by the radial, ulnar and humerus bones. Through the elbow, the vascular trunks pass, which supply the hand from the elbow to the wrist and phalanx of the fingers. Three nerves also pass through the joint, which can be the cause of pain in the elbow during flexion or extension. The joint is strengthened by four ligaments.
The movement of the elbow joint is carried out using the muscles of the flexors and extensors :
- from the shoulder to the elbow - triceps, biceps of the shoulder, ulnar and brachial muscles;
- from the elbow to the wrist - square and round pronators, brachioradial, radial flexor of the fingers, ulnar flexor of the wrist and others.
It is during movement that the elbow in the joint hurts more often. What to do to relieve pain before visiting a doctor can be read below.
Causes of elbow pain
Pain in the elbow may be related:
- with injuries resulting from injuries;
- with tumors;
- with degenerative-dystrophic processes;
- with pathological changes in blood vessels and nerves;
- with inflammations of infectious and non-infectious etiology, localized in the joint itself or surrounding tissues;
- with features of joint movement (in some athletes).
The most common causes of pain are injuries, injuries, or joint overload. If the elbows in the joints of the hands hurt without preliminary damage, this indicates the development of diseases. Each of them has its own symptoms and treatment features.
What are the diseases of the elbow joint?
The most common disease is epicondylitis - damage to the tendons as a result of trauma or strong prolonged stress. An elbow in the joint hurts when exerted or when performing rotational movements. In everyday life or at rest, no painful symptoms are manifested.
Reflected pain is a disease that occurs due to changes in the cervicothoracic spine. Externally, the joint does not change. The main difference is the nature of the pain - it occurs even at rest.
Arthrosis is not characterized by severe pain. It occurs only when you try to bend or straighten your arm to the limit. In addition to pain during bending, stiffness and crunch are felt. In the absence of proper treatment, bone deformation occurs after some time.
Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joint, accompanied by severe pain even at rest, redness and swelling of the affected area.
Any pain in the elbow joint is an occasion to visit a doctor. Pain symptoms do not go away on their own, they need treatment - eliminating the root cause of joint pain. Only in this case can you maintain your health.
Elbow pain in the joint: what to do? Ointment and compresses as a way to reduce pain
If the pain intensifies, and there is no opportunity to visit a doctor now, you can use simple methods:
- Fixation of the elbow joint - significantly reduce the manifestation of the symptom by reducing the load on it and fixing it with an elastic bandage. If possible, it is necessary to ensure complete rest to the joint until the cause of pain is identified and the correct treatment is prescribed.
- Cold compresses can slightly reduce pain and swelling of the affected area. You can apply such compresses for no more than half an hour, otherwise you can only harm the joint and intensify the pain syndrome.
- The use of gels or ointments - their main component should be a substance that provides an anti-inflammatory effect (diclofenac, ibuprofen, nimesulide). You need to rub them several times a day.
Do not self-medicate. These methods are used only to alleviate unpleasant symptoms. If you experience pain, you should contact the emergency room in the near future, where an experienced specialist will help determine the cause of the discomfort in the elbow joint.
Elbow pain in the joint: how to treat?
The main conservative treatment includes physiotherapeutic and drug therapy:
- Physiotherapeutic therapy includes physiotherapy, reflexology, exercise and massage.
- Drug therapy - a course of drugs that provide activation of nerve conduction and improve blood circulation. Be sure to take additional painkillers and normalize the digestive tract. The most commonly used are Structum, Chondroxide, Teraflex. For injections use "Flosteron", "Diprospan", "Metipred".
In order to prescribe an effective and safe treatment, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination and, if necessary, additional examinations. Only with a complete picture of the symptoms and changes in the structure of the elbow can a correct diagnosis be made and effective treatment prescribed.
What examinations can a doctor prescribe for pain in the elbow?
If during the examination the doctor detects edema, swelling and other lesions of the elbow joint, he prescribes the appropriate examination methods:
- blood test (biochemical);
- X-ray of the elbow joint (in case of suspected degenerative changes after injuries and heavy load);
- CT or MRI of the elbow joint is prescribed when radiography does not give the desired result or for people who can’t do an x-ray (pregnant women, patients who have recently received radiation during radiography);
- a biopsy of the elbow joint is prescribed if there is a suspicion of a malignant tumor in the joint or elbow region when the elbow in the joint is very sore.
What to do? To confirm or refute the preliminary diagnosis of a doctor, it is necessary to conduct examinations as directed and as soon as possible.
Joint surgery
It is used only if there is no effect after a course of conservative drug treatment. One of the most effective and common methods of surgical treatment is the introduction of hyaluronic acid into the joint cavity.
Hyaluronic acid is a protein compound, it is from it that almost half the joint consists. An injection is made into the joint bag of the affected joint, due to this, friction between the articular surfaces of the bones is reduced, and the process of destruction of joint tissues is slowed down.
It is better to regularly monitor your health to prevent the development of joint diseases that are difficult to cure. Attention to your condition and the appearance of painful syndromes will allow you to quickly eliminate developing changes in the joints.
Alternative methods of treatment
Many can be bothered by an unpleasant symptom when an elbow in the joint hurts. What to do? Folk remedies can reduce pain before the appointment of a traditional treatment.
In folk medicine, egg shells are used to treat joints. It must be dried and crushed into powder, then mixed with sour milk to the state of slurry and put on the elbow. For the best effect, wrap the joint with a warm cloth and walk for 1 hour. The course of treatment is 5 days.
You can have a bath if the elbow in the joint hurts. What to do? To do this, pour a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. l buttercup flowers. Dilute the resulting broth with hot water to a volume of 5 liters and take "elbow baths" for an hour, maintaining the water temperature.
Any folk remedies can be used only after consulting a doctor. Otherwise, improper treatment can aggravate the condition of the joints.
Prevention of joint pain
Any disease is easier to prevent than to spend a lot of time, effort and money on treatment. The main preventive measures are:
- protection of joints from excessive and prolonged stress;
- compliance with a healthy lifestyle (proper nutrition and moderate physical activity);
- try to prevent the appearance of excess weight (since it exerts strong pressure on the joints);
- regularly undergo preventive examinations by doctors, especially if an elbow in the joint hurts.
What to do to prevent joint diseases? A responsible attitude to your life is the key to health and longevity, especially with regard to the condition of the joints.