Various health disorders, the functioning of the elements of the motor system, the skeleton and connecting parts - cartilage, joints - are a significant problem. Treatment of diseases, for example, can take many years, require numerous investments of time and money. It is also impossible not to heal - pathology will affect everyday life, limiting the ability to move, and therefore work.
general information
Treatment and prevention of diseases of the elbow joint is an extensive topic, since there is a wide variety of pathologies that affect this element of the human body. Diseases differ from each other in manifestations, in the nuances of getting rid of them, as well as in the mechanisms of development and progress. It is customary to distinguish four broad categories: inflammation, degeneration, trauma and pathology of nearby tissues.
Inflammatory processes are bursitis, arthritis. This class includes the well-known epicondylitis. Arthrosis is associated with degenerative changes in organic tissues. Injuries can be very different - you can break an element of the elbow, stretch a ligament or dislocate an area. From the surrounding tissues, due to the disease, muscle, nervous, and also the vascular system, which provides nutrition to the elbow joint, can be affected.
The diseases of all these groups have their own unique features, nuances of clinical manifestations. After analyzing the patient's complaints, the doctor will surely determine what he had to deal with and select the appropriate therapeutic course.
The urgency of the problem
If you notice any symptom of the main diseases of the elbow joint, you should not delay visiting the doctor. Nowadays, anyone can get access to the services of qualified medical personnel with specialized equipment. Doctors will quickly understand what is the cause of the pain and poor mobility of the area. Diagnostics will help to correctly and accurately identify the pathology, the doctor will select the appropriate treatment. Only an early and fully completed course will help to achieve either a complete restoration of the site, or the maximum possible in the current conditions. By delaying the visit to the clinic, there is a risk of depriving yourself of joint mobility for life.
Of course, the causes, symptoms, treatment of pain in the elbow joint are the area of specialization of professional doctors, but ordinary people should also understand what can cause such problems. Knowing the frequently occurring, widespread pathologies, having an idea of their manifestations, one can adequately assess the problem that has arisen, and therefore consciously consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Arthritis
Among those indicating the need for urgent treatment of the symptoms of diseases of the elbow joint, in reality, an impressive percentage of cases are manifestations of arthritis of the rheumatoid type. The pathology is one of the autoimmune, affects the spinal column and joints in different parts of the body, and the elbow will be no exception. The complex mechanism of progress, risk factors have not yet been fully investigated, due to which arthritis, like other diseases of the autoimmune spectrum, is a pressing and serious medical problem. Inflammatory processes often accompany systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and spondyloarthritis, but in most cases rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed.
A feature of the pathological condition is the generation of antibodies by tissues to the connective fibers included in the joint. The body's own antibodies harm joints at the cellular level, which causes a person to suffer from typical manifestations of arthritis. Symptoms of the disease include bilateral damage to parts of the body. Soreness is especially strong in the morning, and after a slight exertion decreases. In the first half hour after waking up (sometimes longer), a person is worried about the stiffness of the articular area. The elbow moves limited, the surrounding tissue swells. Possible deformation of areas, erosion.
The nuances of the development of the disease
Most often, symptoms indicating the need for treatment of an elbow joint disease appear in small areas of the body. Traditionally, rheumatoid arthritis is localized in small articular areas, most often in the feet, bones, but the elbows suffer somewhat less often.
The main percentage of patients is elderly people. With the development of arthritis in minors, the juvenile form of the disease is diagnosed. Another variant of pathology is Still's disease.
Reactive arthritis
This disease is also an inflammatory one. The prognosis is somewhat better than in the case of the rheumatoid form, although severe deformation of the affected area is observed, but in a rather small percentage of patients. Pathology often develops when the body is infected, and the focus of introduction is localized outside the joint area. From medical statistics it is known that the root cause for most is urogenital infections, intestinal disease. Human immunity reacts to the pathogen, generates antibodies that affect the viability of pathological microflora and body elements.
There are a number of common symptoms that indicate the need for treatment for elbow inflammation. The disease indicates soreness, especially pronounced near large articular areas, as well as a short stiffness of movements in the morning hours. Both symmetrical and unilateral lesions are possible. To alleviate the patient's condition, non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed - this category of drugs has established itself as the most effective. After the root cause is cured, the symptoms of arthritis worry about another month. A well-chosen therapeutic course helps to completely get rid of unfavorable phenomena over time.
Bursitis
Disease of the elbow joint of this type is also classified as inflammatory, and it is considered severe, since it is difficult to treat. A feature of the condition is microbial infection of the articular cavity. Often bursitis accompanies arthritis of an infectious nature. The bursa near the joint is the first to suffer. Infection is possible due to injury or incorrect injection. Pathological microflora can enter the joint with the blood flow from the source of infection inside the body. The joint becomes an area of localization of the inflammatory focus, which is accompanied by severe pain that is activated when trying to move. Tissues redden and swell, touching brings strong discomfort. Often, bursitis is accompanied by manifestations of body poisoning - fever, weakness. Some have headaches, others feel tired all the time.
Only the doctor will tell you why the disease requires an antibacterial therapeutic course, which means that you first need to take tests to identify the sensitivity of the microflora. At the same time, the doctor will prescribe non-hormonal anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic agents in order to weaken the manifestations of the disease. Self-treatment of bursitis at home, without the supervision of a doctor, is not possible - there is a high probability of severe complications.
Gout
Such a disease is more often localized in the legs, but the elbow occasionally suffers. Disease of the elbow joint is associated with the accumulation of uric acid transformation products. Salt crystals accumulate in the joint. This is especially true for people with food consuming purine bases. Gout is a concern for obese and diabetic people who consume an abundance of alcohol. Possible genetic factors for the development of the disease.
Gouty arthritis is a disease of the elbow joint in which soreness has a pronounced rhythm. Pathology is prone to relapse, the acute form alternates with remission. Examining the fiber in the layers of tissue under the skin reveals small nodules formed by uric acid in the form of crystalline deposits. Acute stages often follow after drinking or avoiding a diet. A study of the patient's blood shows an increased content of uric acid. General analysis of urine gives an idea of deviations from the norm. To confirm the disease, the joint fluid can be checked for uric acid transformation products.
The therapeutic course involves specialized nutrition and the use of medications aimed at lowering the concentration of urates in organic tissues. In the acute phase, the patient is shown to take non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs. Preparations containing colchicine have worked well.
Epicondylitis
This pathology is one of the most common, quite specific, and for a long time has attracted the attention of doctors around the world. Epicondylitis is a disease of the elbow joint, accompanied by the formation of inflammatory foci in the area where muscle tissue is attached to the humerus, epicondyle. The unofficial name of this pathological condition is condylitis, it is under it that many patients know it. In fact, the term that gave the name to the disease is "epicondyle", which in Latin sounds like epicondylus.
The need for treatment of epicondylitis (a disease of the elbow joint) may arise against the background of prolonged muscular load affecting the forearm. In this case, the epicondyles become the site of localization of numerous microscopic injuries. It is customary to talk about two types of the disease: lateral, medial forms. The first is also known as outdoor. This is more likely to bother professional athletes. The main risk group is tennis players. The medial type is not uncommon in golfers. For many, it forms as a consequence of a joint injury.
Nuances of pathology
For more than a decade, doctors have been researching the symptoms, treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint. It was found that the disease is indicated by the soreness of the internal, external articular part, the weakening of muscle strength in the forearm area. During normal work, a person feels severe pain, the tissues surrounding the joint swell. Epicondylitis develops chronically and requires a comprehensive therapeutic course. Such a pathology is an indication for changing the workplace and the nature of the activity.
If signs of the acute phase of the disease indicate the need for treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint, the patient is shown to take analgesics. The joint area needs cooling. When the acute phase is over, the doctor will refer the patient to a physiotherapy program. To restore the working capacity of the zone, it is necessary to practice physiotherapy exercises.
Arthrosis
This disease is degenerative in nature, is more often diagnosed in elderly people and accompanies osteoarthritis. The peculiarity of the pathological condition is the connection with constant loads on the diseased area. Osteoarthritis is usually observed in areas where the joints are damaged. A health disorder can provoke a recurrent synovitis, in which the osteophytes formed by the bone tissue increase. Under their influence, the joints are deformed.
Osteoarthritis indicates itself weakening at rest, becoming more active with exertion of pain. Often, pain appears when a person begins to move, but soon disappear. Compared to many of the diseases described above, arthrosis does not lead to stiffness in the area in the morning. The progress of pathology is associated with a decrease in articular mobility, deformities that are irreversible. Synovitis recurs, and the manifestations are similar to symptoms of other types of foci of inflammation in the joint.
Arthrosis belongs to the number of chronically developing and not amenable to complete treatment of pathologies. The therapeutic course is aimed at relieving symptoms and maintaining the patient's quality of life for the longest possible period. A well-chosen program can slow down the progress of the disease. Usually the doctor prescribes chondroprotectors, recommends a physiotherapy program and a course of therapeutic exercises.
Dislocation
Often you have to think carefully, look for why the elbow joints hurt. The reasons, methods of treatment, the nuances of diagnosis are determined by the characteristics of the case. Soreness is often caused by an injury, and the elbow is particularly prone to these injuries. The area of the human body is formed by three bones, includes a vulnerable joint capsule, is protected by a weak muscle skeleton, which means that any heavy load leads to injury. To avoid dislocation, you need to be extremely careful and prevent aggressive external influences.
Dislocation is possible if the elbow has suffered from a direct blow or the person has put too much force into the movement in a section. In this case, the area loses the ability to actively move, the shape is disturbed, tissue edema and spasm of nearby muscles are observed. Getting injured and the period shortly thereafter bothers with severe soreness of the site.
As a rule, a visual examination is sufficient to make a diagnosis. In the absence of complications, conservative treatment is practiced - the dislocation is adjusted, a plaster cast or bandage covering the shoulder and forearm is applied. As a complication, a habitual dislocation is possible, when the fibrin of the articulation ceases to protect the area, as it should be normally. Even a weak application of effort provokes a dislocation. Treatment may include operating on the patient.
Stretching
This injury also belongs to the category of diseases of the elbow joint, it occurs very often. The pathological condition is associated with muscle stretching and provokes soreness, similar to that characteristic of inflammatory processes in the joints. An adequate therapeutic course allows you to quickly cure sprains without a trace.
The nuances of the pathological condition include the unstable nature of the pains that disturb when efforts are applied to the affected area. In this case, the muscles of the forearm suffer (one, several); occasionally, the pathology extends to the articular shoulder. Symptoms appear after an injury has been suffered or too much stress is applied to the areas. Due to stretching, the tissue around the joint swells, the range of motion is limited. The condition is not considered dangerous, but requires responsible treatment. After injury, for the first few hours, it is necessary to ensure complete rest of the zone and apply a cooling compress. When the acute inflammatory process has exhausted itself, local analgesics and warming compounds are applied. In some cases, physiotherapy is indicated.
Stretching caused by active sports, physical work, can be repeated regularly. This condition requires special attention, since it can provoke the appearance of a serious disease of the elbow joint - epicondylitis.
Fracture
Bone trauma is perhaps the most severe type of damage to the integrity of the articular region. Can be broken to damage the shoulder, radial. If the process went especially unsuccessfully, the fracture line affects the articular plane and harms several bones at the same time. A fracture usually occurs when a particularly powerful direct force is applied. Such consequences are not uncommon in case of an unsuccessful fall, an accident. The risk of fracture is higher in osteoporosis, when the bone tissue becomes less dense. This is typical for women during menopause, elderly people and patients who are forced to use non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs with a systemic effect for a long time.
A fracture can be suspected if the injury was accompanied by sharp and severe pain, as well as a characteristic crisp sound. Soon after this event, the tissues near the elbow joint swell, the area loses mobility, and the joint becomes deformed. If the fracture is open, debris can be seen in the wound. An x-ray will show a buildup of bloody discharge near the joint. If the fracture has affected the joint space, it is among the complicated ones. Treatment - urgent surgery, after which the limb is immobilized. Treatment control is realized through X-ray images.
When the bone is completely healed, the patient will be sent to a rehabilitation program to restore normal mobility and functionality of the arm.
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