Pain in the ulnar muscle or myalgia can occur both in tension and in relaxation. The causes of pain are many. To begin treatment, it is necessary to establish what exactly caused it.
A bit of anatomy
The upper limbs are composed of several muscles. The main ones are:
- Deltoid. It passes through the acromial process of the scapula in the direction from the clavicle to the middle third of the shoulder. Its functions are flexion, abduction and extension of the arm.
- Biceps. It reaches the upper third of the ulna from the beginning of the shoulder joint. Function - flexion of the forearm.
- Finger flexors. They are located on the inside of the forearm.
- Ulnar muscle. It starts from the axillary zone and reaches the back surface of the elbow. Its function is to delay the joint capsule and extension of the forearm.
With myalgia (inflammation of the muscle) one or another function of the arm is lost, which allows you to determine which muscle can be damaged.
Why the ulnar muscle hurts
The causes of pain can be different. If the ulnar muscle is damaged, the extension function of the forearm, as well as the joint capsule, is impaired. This occurs for various reasons. Among them:
- polymyalgia;
- polymyositis;
- general intoxication;
- muscle parasites;
- cramps
- injuries and sprains;
- muscle rheumatism;
- amyloidosis and other pathologies.
The ulnar muscle can be sick with different intensity, depending on the degree of damage and the type of pathology that led to the onset of the syndrome.
Polymyositis
The ulnar muscle can be ill with polymyositis. This pathology is manifested by the following symptoms:
- skin lesions;
- damage to the subcutaneous tissue;
- mucosal damage;
- general intoxication syndrome;
- somatic disorders.
When polymyositis is affected, the ulnar muscle begins to hurt, movements become limited, swelling, compaction, weakness appear.
Injuries
Injuries include rupture and muscle strain in the elbow joint, bruises. In this case, pain, swelling, and hematomas occur. Depending on the degree of muscle injury, the pain can be mild, acute, unbearable. In the latter case, it is recommended to take any non-narcotic pain medication. The limb becomes edematous. If a rupture of the muscle apparatus has occurred, hematomas may be observed.
Muscle rheumatism
After 50 years, muscle rheumatism is often diagnosed. This type of pathology is characterized by tension, pain, weakness, loss of joints and atrophy of the muscles of the hands. The affected ulnar muscle ceases to fulfill its functions.
Nerve pathology
Pain in the upper limbs can be triggered by diseases of the nervous system. With various types of neuralgia, pain occurs periodically, and it will be more pronounced along the nerve ending, but the farther from it, the quieter the pain.
The pain syndrome with neuralgia occurs paroxysmally. It can last several minutes, and can last only a few seconds.
Myositis
The ulnar muscle of the shoulder can become inflamed. This pathology is called myositis. She is treated under the constant supervision of specialists.
Myositis is a pathological inflammation of the muscles. It can occur as an independent disease or be a complication of some pathology, for example, SARS. In half the cases of diagnosing myositis, muscle inflammation occurs due to excessive physical exertion on the elbow muscles.
With myositis, the pain is aching, during movement it increases several times. On examination, the doctor may detect seals.
When an infection is attached, purulent myositis can occur. General intoxication syndrome appears, the hand swells, the skin becomes hyperemic.
Parasitic myositis is a rare form of pathology of the ulnar muscle. It occurs when various types of parasites are damaged in tissues: toxoplasmas, cysticerci, etc. With this form of the disease, fever and pain in the arm develop. The chewing muscles, tongue, and chest are affected.
Spontaneous contraction
The ulnar muscle of the forearm can hurt with spontaneous muscle contraction. Typically, such cramps occur in women. Spontaneous contractions can intensify during exercise in a damp, cool place. They not only lead to a malfunction of the limb, but also disturb sleep.
Styloiditis and tendonitis
With styloiditis, the pain is breaking, aching, with small loads it greatly increases. With tendonitis, not only pain occurs, but also edema, hyperemia.
With these pathologies, the mobility of the elbow joint is impaired.
Diagnostics
To clarify the cause of the pain, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. It includes:
- examination by a neurologist, traumatologist;
- radiography of the upper limb;
- MRI
- CT
If necessary, the doctor may prescribe additional examination methods aimed at identifying hidden infections that caused the pain syndrome.
Treatment
Treatment of the ulnar muscle depends on the cause of the pathology. The doctor may prescribe:
- painkillers (non-narcotic painkillers are prescribed);
- compresses (selected individually in each case of pathology);
- drugs that eliminate inflammation;
- funds to improve blood circulation;
- fixation of joints (applies plaster or bandage).
According to indications, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy can be prescribed. In order to maintain the muscles of the upper extremities in excellent shape, it is necessary to play sports and monitor the general state of health, visit doctors on time, without waiting for the manifestation of complications in the form of pain in the ulnar muscle.