Share:
Elbow Pain - Causes, Symptoms and Therapies
What to do for pain on the elbow?
The elbow is heavily used in many sports but especially when working on the computer, craftsmanship as well as in everyday activities such as carrying bags. In addition, he is prone to injury due to his massive standing out even in falls and bumps. For example, fractures of the upper arm involving the elbow are common in both adults and children. The most common causes of elbow pain include so-called tendinosis. These are painful wear disorders of the muscle tendons such as the "tennis elbow". Other triggers of elbow jokes are insertion endopathies (inflammation in the tendon insertion) that occur at the points of origin and origin of the muscle tendons on the bones or their protrusions.
contents
- What to do for pain on the elbow?
- Elbow fools - a short overview
- definition
- risk factors
- anatomy
- symptoms
- causes
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- inflammation
- gout
- arthrosis
- nerve damage
- When should you see a doctor??
- diagnosis
- therapy
- Natural remedies for elbow pain
- Prevention of elbow pain
Elbow fools - a short overview
Pain on the elbow can have very different reasons. In this case, among other things, failure or overloading, overtraining, inflammatory processes, wear, tendon or muscle strain or tears and fractures as a cause into consideration. Here is a brief overview of the symptoms:
- definition: Pain in the area of the elbow, the causes of which may lie in the elbow joint, its tendons, muscles or ligaments, as well as in the area of the upper arm or the spinal column. Not least, inflammation can be the cause of this.
- symptoms: Elbow strain pain that can range from occasional mild to permanent severe discomfort. The pain can be of a punctiform or large-scale nature and may be accompanied by radiations in the forearm.
- Common causes: Inflammation or degenerative changes leading to the typical tennis elbow (epicondylitis humeri lateralis) or golfer's elbow (epicondylitis humeri medialis); Gout, arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, osteoarthritis.
- Frequent triggers: Unilateral or intense stress from computer work, craft activities or certain sports such as tennis, golf, climbing or javelin throwing.
- therapiesPhysiotherapy, cold or heat therapy, protection and immobilization, shock wave therapy, electrotherapy, ultrasound treatment, bandages, taping, analgesic medications, in some cases also surgical interventions.
- Naturopathy: Acupuncture, mistletoe therapy, use of medicinal plants and herbal medicine such as African devil's claw, quaking aspen leaves or bark, goldenrod herb and ash bark; external applications with arnica, oats, St. John's Wort extract or oil.
Overload, inflammation, wear, improper loading, tendon overstretching, muscle strain, fractures: elbow pain can have many causes. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com) definition
Elbow pain is generally referred to as pain in the area of the elbow. The cause may be due to the elbow joint, its tendons, muscles and ligaments, but also the area of the upper arm, spine or inflammation. Pain on the elbow ranges from occasional mild discomfort to permanent severe pain. The pain can occur punctually, over a large area with radiating into the forearm and needle stick-like with certain movements and strains.
risk factors
Often, overloading, for example, through intense computer work or manual work, causes pain on the elbow. For professional reasons, many of these movements and burdens can not be avoided. Therefore, sufferers should try to change hands when one-sided, recurring burdens, if that is possible. To work on the computer, the office chair and desk should be individually adjustable. A special arm rest may also be helpful, as well as pausing to gently stretch and move the wrist, elbow, shoulders, and body.
In addition, sporting activities such as tennis, golf, weightlifting and javelin throwing can also result in elbow overload.
anatomy
The elbow consists of three bones (upper arm, ulna and radius), the ends of which converge in the elbow joint, as well as tendons, ligaments, articular cartilage, synovial fluid and other joint structures. An elbow hinge and ball joint allows for flexion and extension of the forearm. A pivot joint is responsible for the rotation of the forearm and hand.
To identify the possible cause of elbow pain, it is helpful to know the anatomy of the elbow. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) symptoms
Since the elbow joint is frequently stressed in everyday life, at work and during sports activities, it can easily lead to injuries and discomfort in the event of overloading, incorrect loading and accidents. Those affected may suffer from acute, chronic, or chronic elbow pain associated with certain movements and strains. The intensity ranges from mild to severe pain, which seems to be pulling, stabbing or pushing depending on the cause. Frequently sufferers also suffer from a restriction of movement of the elbow joint. Inflammation can cause swelling and warm skin redness.
causes
The most common causes include the tennis elbow (tennis elbow, epicondylitis humeri lateralis) and the golfer's elbow (epicondylitis humeri medialis). In both cases there is an inflammation or degenerative change in the area of the elbow, which leads to impairment of the ability to use the affected arm. The pain syndrome owes its name to the fact that tennis players and golfers are often affected. In most cases, however, stresses that occur during intensive computer work or manual work trigger a tennis or golfer's elbow.
Tennis elbow
In the tennis elbow sufferers complain of touch or pressure on pain on the outer lateral bone protrusion of the elbow. Raising objects with their arms extended and closing a fist can also be painful. Stretching arms and handles are generally considered cumbersome and uncomfortable. Often, the symptoms go back after a period of conservation. In some cases, a chronic condition may develop that continues, recurs, and worsens.
By a one-sided load, it can come to the so-called tennis elbow or tennis elbow. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) Not only tennis players are affected
The name tennis elbow is partly a bit misleading. Although frequent and intense tennis is a risk factor for the development of this pain syndrome, most sufferers develop the tennis elbow because of computer work, craft activities or intensive training of a musical instrument.
How does a tennis elbow arise??
The tennis elbow is a tendon disease caused by a prolonged overload of the muscle attachments on the humerus. The constant overload initially leads to a painful tension (hypertonic). This tension in turn causes a constant force on the approach zone of the muscles. As a result, on the one hand the blood circulation is disturbed and thus also the nutrient supply is restricted, on the other hand tiny tension (micro-lesions) is created by the tension. Left untreated, these processes can lead to limescale deposits, permanent muscle point changes, or even muscle breakage.
Note early warning signs!
Since this pain syndrome is dealt with very well at an early stage and common therapies usually work well, one should know the early warning signs for the development of a tennis elbow, so that one can intervene quickly before chronic changes occur. Here are some early warning symptoms for detection:
- localized pain on the outside of the elbow,
- Elbow pain when you press your middle finger against a resistance,
- Pain in the elbow when resting on a tabletop with your hand (as when standing up),
- The muscles around the elbow are swollen,
- The skin on the elbow is red and feels warm,
- Pressure pain, if one scans the musculature around the elbow.
Golfer's elbow
The golfer's elbow causes pain in the area of the inner elbow. The elbow area at the base of the hand and finger flexors is affected on the ellen side. Often, pain occurs when flexing the wrist, lifting heavy weights, and turning the forearm against resistance. However, playing golf is only the trigger for very ambitious golfers. The pain syndrome, for example, synonymous with spear throwers and is also referred to as launcher elbow. In most cases, however, not physical activities but monotonous movements in everyday life are the triggers.
Typical of the golfer's elbow are pain on the inside of the joint, which mainly occurs when flexing the wrist, forearm turns or when lifting loads. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) How does a golfer's elbow arise??
The discomforts of a golfer's elbow spring from the muscle attachment that sits at the base of the humerus near the elbow. The muscles involved here are involved in the rotation of the forearm as well as the flexion, extension, and stabilization of the wrist and elbow. Constant one-sided stresses such as screwing, lifting heavy loads or jerky forces on the hand and forearm can cause minimal injuries (microtrauma) to the muscles and connective tissue over time. These processes are increasingly causing inflammatory changes, which are manifested by pain and movement limitations in flexing and twisting the forearm or lifting.
Take these early warning signs seriously!
As with the tennis elbow, the treatment should not be put off. Most golfer elbow sheets can be treated very well without surgery by established procedures, if they have not yet become chronic. For this reason, they should not disregard the following early warning symptoms:
- Occurring pain when the affected muscles are strained and strained,
- Pain disappears again after the stress is stopped,
- Muscles on the inside of the upper arm are swollen,
- Pressure pain during palpation,
- Skin in the area is warm and red,
- more advanced it also comes to radiating pain in the resting phase or at low loads.
Climbing elbow
Another common tendinosis is the climbing elbow, where congestion pain occurs in the tendon attachments of the elbow joint flexor (brachialis muscle) to the upper ulna. This area is particularly stressed when climbing.
The climbing elbow is a special variant of the golfer elbow, which often occurs in the climbing sport, as this area is heavily loaded. (Image: VRD / fotolia.com) inflammation
Inflammation of the elbow joint often leads to elbow pain. An arthritis (joint inflammation) can have different causes. Both an infection with bacteria and metabolic diseases such as gout can trigger inflammation of the joints. If only one joint is affected, such as the elbow joint, physicians speak of a monarthritis, in the case of multiple joints of a polyarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The most common forms of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis. This can also elbow pain occur, but the elbow is affected less often than other joints. The cause of the disease is a malfunctioning immune defense, so that the own joints and tissues are attacked and destroyed. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the autoimmune diseases. Mostly it occurs symmetrically by swelling of both elbows, wrists or ankles. Patients often complain of stiff joints in the morning and movement-related pain.
Housemaid's knee
Pain on the elbow is often triggered by bursitis (bursitis olecrani), which can also be caused by mechanical stress and persistent irritation. For example, constant support of the elbow at work or certain sports activities cause bursitis olecrani. In addition, the bursa lying directly under the skin can become inflamed and swell due to infections or injuries.
gout
Gout is a metabolic disease that can be felt in the elbow area by a so-called gout Tophus. This is an accumulation of uric acid crystals that have not been broken down. Uric acid is a metabolite that is also found in healthy people. Normally, the uric acid is sufficiently disposed of by the metabolism. Due to metabolic disorders, however, it may happen that it deposits in the body and forms tophi. If the gout-tophis develop on joints close to the joints, this can lead to deformation and damage to the joints.
Inflammation of the elbow is usually accompanied by pain. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com) If uric acid deposits in the joints and bursa in an acute attack of gout, the inflammation causes severe pain, reddening of the skin over the affected areas, and fever. As a so-called pseudogout the deposition of pyrophosphate crystals is called, which can also lead to irritation or inflammation of the elbow joint and other joints or joint-like structures.
arthrosis
Osteoarthritis (joint wear) can cause pain on the elbow, although it is less common here than at other joints. Often, but not exclusively, older people are affected. If osteoarthritis already occurs in younger people, the joint wear is usually preceded by injury, occupational injury and / or overuse. For example, arthrosis can occur in weight training athletes by excessive weight lifting. Osteoarthritis patients sometimes suffer from severe pain and increased movement restriction.
Morbus Panner
Elbow pain in children and adolescents may be due to Panner's disease (Osteochondrosis dissecans). Especially boys between the ages of six and ten are affected by bone necrosis of the elbow joint. It leads to the formation of a so-called joint mouse, a free cartilage bone part due to circulatory disorders, overloads or other unknown causes. If the articular body settles in the joint, it can lead to entrapment, damage to the cartilage and later to arthritis.
nerve damage
For complaints that radiate unilaterally to the upper arm, forearm and / or fingers, a nerve damage should be excluded by the doctor. This can occur, for example, in a root compression syndrome in a herniated disc, when nerve roots are narrowed or squeezed on the spinal cord. The pain then has a close relationship to the course of the nerves and / or the damaged area. This is called segmental pain. Patients also often suffer from muscle weakness or paralysis, tingling in the limbs, and numbness. Similar symptoms occur in diseases of the shoulder joint and nerve compressions in the shoulder area, whose pain can also radiate into the upper arm.
The cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the cervical nerve and is associated with discomfort, numbness and pain in the little finger, ring finger, lower part of the hand and forearm. (Image: bilderzwerg / fotolia.com) cubital tunnel syndrome
In the cubital tunnel syndrome or sulcus-ulnaris syndrome a nerve is trapped, which passes through the elbow. More specifically, there is compression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel at the elbow. Typical of this common compression syndrome are recurrent sensory disturbances in the supply area of the ulnar nerve. These can range from sensations of discomfort (tingling, numbness, falling asleep), especially in the area of the little finger and the ring finger, to sensory disturbances and even pain radiating from the underside of the hand to the elbow. In addition, over time, increasing muscle weakness in the area may manifest. For example, writing with a pen can be a problem.
Other causes
Other causes of elbow pain may include broken bones, muscle tensions, fibromyalgia, bacterial bone inflammation, cysts, tumors or cancer, congenital malformations of the elbow or bones of the upper and lower arm, irritation of the ulnar nerve (ulnar nerve) in the so-called musical bone, joint dislocation (dislocation) High leg (ganglion), osteoporosis, circulatory disorders, skin diseases involving the elbow joint (for example, psoriasis) u. a. his.
When should you see a doctor??
Elbow pain can have different causes. Often the symptoms go back after a period of sparing of themselves as for example in a short-term overload. However, if the pain lasts longer, a restriction of movement is noticeable and / or swelling occurs, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
If the pain does not subside after a season, or if there are restrictions on mobility, a doctor should be consulted. (Image: Racle Fotodesign / fotolia.com) diagnosis
In order to find out the cause of the elbow pain, it must first be clarified which symptoms occur and where they are noticeable. In addition, the doctor asks for pre-existing conditions and injuries that may affect the elbow joint. An elbow exam will test for flexibility and check for swelling or joint effusion. If you suspect certain causes or diseases, the doctor will initiate further examinations such as:
- radiographs,
- blood tests,
- Articoscopy (arthroscopy),
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
- Ultrasound examinations (sonography),
- Joint puncture in an articular effusion.
therapy
The treatment depends heavily on the cause of the discomfort. While acute pain often disappears on its own, continuous elbow pain, such as the tennis or golfer's elbow, may require immobilization with a cast splint. Anti-inflammatory analgesics may be used in the form of tablets or ointments. If these measures are not enough, joint injections and joint flushing with cortisone-containing or analgesic drugs can be used to relieve elbow pain.
Depending on the cause, heat or cooling, protection or movement may be considered therapy. For example, physiotherapy is usually necessary for pain on the elbow due to prolonged immobilization. A special muscle training to strengthen and stretch the joint may also be useful. In addition, there are numerous other methods such as shock wave therapy, electrotherapy and ultrasound treatment, water and bath therapy, bandages, heat treatment or cold treatment u.a..
Depending on the severity of the therapy, a bandage or splint may be required to relieve the arm. (Image: Racle Fotodesign / fotolia.com) Sometimes surgery is necessary. Frequently, the cause of the elbow pain is then removed in a joint mirroring (arthroscopy). If the symptoms are due to osteoarthritis, the doctor can cut the bones or remove a piece of bone by means of a joint-near osteotomy. If the injury or damage to the joint is more severe, elbow stiffening or the insertion of an artificial elbow joint replacement (prosthesis) may be considered as a last resort.
Natural remedies for elbow pain
In the case of elbow pain, naturopathic treatment can be used either as an alternative or in addition to conventional medicine, depending on the diagnosis. For example, ice therapy can not only relieve pain but also reduce the power of inflammation.
Willow bark extract promotes the structure of the joints. The medicinal plant African Devil's Claw as well as a combination of Quaking Aspen leaves or bark, Goldenrod herb and ash bark can also be used for joint pain. Applied externally, arnica, oats, St. John's Wort extract or oil can provide relief. In addition, with the mistletoe therapy good results can be achieved by Mistelzubereitungen be tipped under the skin. Depending on the cause of the elbow pain, acupuncture may be pain-relieving.
Prevention of elbow pain
Many complaints on the elbow are caused by excessive or too one-sided stress. Basically, it is conducive to the elbow region, if onerous activities are not operated over a longer period of time. After a load, a corresponding resting phase should also take place. In some jobs, however, a heavier load can not be avoided. Here one should pay as much attention as possible to an ergonomic workplace. For computer work, this can be implemented well. Here, an ergonomic seat and storage pads for the wrists in front of the mouse and keyboard can provide relief. (see also: mouse arm)
These measures can help to prevent pain on the elbow. (Image: alekseymartynov / fotolia.com / heilpraxis.de) Both in manual work as well as computer work should be interrupted at regular intervals, the work and, for example, be loosened by stretching exercises. For example, anyone who is at risk of falling or being injured during exercise should wear elbow pads to prevent breakage or dislocation. In addition, everyone should consult a doctor early for any abnormal swelling, recurring pain, or warming at or around the elbow joint to prevent chronic disease progression. (nr, vb; updated November 20, 2018)
swell
- Guideline "Epicondylopathia radialis humeri" of the German Society of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery (as of 09/2011)
- Health Information of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (as of 19 November 2018) on:
- tennis elbow
- golfer
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome