Система Orphus

Symptoms of disease - pain in the elbow

The elbow joint (elbow) formed a joint shoulder, radiation and ulna. Articular surfaces of the bones are covered with hyaline cartilage, contributing to the soft and smooth movements in the joint. Elbow refers to the complex, as well as in its cavity can be divided into three smaller joint: radioulnar, humeroulnar and brachioradialis.

Diagnostics of various diseases of the elbow joint is usually does not cause the specialists of difficulties. This is due to the fact that the elbow joint is easily accessible for inspection and various diagnostic procedures.

Pain in the elbow can occur for many reasons. A thorough clinical examination to confirm the diagnosis may be complemented by various functional tests. Special attention should be paid to the position of the elbow. With effusion in the joint, thickening of the synovium and degenerative diseases of the joints, the hand will be slightly bent at the elbow.



Which diseases there is pain in the elbow

Causes of pain in the elbow.

1. Osteochondrosis, inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, chondrocalcinosis, tumors, tendinitis and osteoarthrosis are the most common causes of pain in the elbow. However, compression syndromes, such as the cubital tunnel syndrome can also occur in the elbow (because of osteophytes, narrowing groove elbow nerve).

2. One of the most frequent causes of pain in the elbow is lateral epicondylitis or «tennis elbow». Rarely develops the median epicondylitis, also known as the «elbow, golfer».
Apart from the local tenderness on palpation, the typical features is the emergence of pain in the right part of the elbow during passive movements: - extending the «tennis elbow», or when bending the wrist - «elbow player in Golf, as well as the pain from muscle strain.
Specific tests help to distinguish the symptoms of pathology epicondyle of symptoms associated with other diseases.

3. Outdoor epicondylitis ("tennis elbow")
The lateral epicondyle shoulder bones are attached muscles involved in extending the brush, - the long and the short beam extensors wrist muscles (compressed knuckle) and shoulder-radiation muscle. Inflammation of the tendons of these muscles in the place of their attachment to the bone is called the lateral epicondylitis. Muscles are weak flexors forearm, so when they defeat the function of the elbow joint practically did not suffer.
This pathology, as a rule, people suffer older than 35 years. The emergence of pain in the elbow is preceded by an unusual load - work in the garden area, sport after a long break, etc. The patient accurately indicates the location of maximum tenderness, the outer epicondyle shoulder bone. Possible irradiation of pain down on the outer surface of the forearm to the wrist. The pain easy to reproduce by the resistance of the active straightening in wrist joint.

4. Internal epicondylitis ("golfer's elbow")
Affected by the tendons of muscles, attached to medial epicondyle - round pronator, the elbow and radiation (brush, a long palm muscle. The median epicondylitis is rare outside. Is determined by the palpation pain in the place of attachment of muscles. Possible irradiation of pain in the elbow surface of the forearm to the wrist. Pain is also played by the resistance of the active

5. Elbow bursitis process
Surface bag elbow the process is over the rise of the elbow process, and not communicating with the cavity of the elbow joint. Inflammation of a Bursa is found in isolation as a consequence of a chronic back injury-bottom surface of the elbow (the drivers of the vehicles, hang back elbow on the door), or in combination with arthritis gout and arthritis. In the field of ulnar process occurs little painful rounded education up to a size of a chicken egg soft consistency. It becomes visible when straightened in one arm. In case of isolated bursitis function of the elbow joint noticeably did not suffer.

Other causes of pain in the elbow.

1. The defeat of one of the elbow joint is often observed in hemophilia and neurotrophic Charcot arthropathy. Monoarthritis the elbow joint, as well as deforming arthrosis are rare.

2. The cause of the "joint blockades may be cutting osteochondritis epiphysis humerus or sinovialny chondromatosis. In these diseases in the elbow joint is often found "joint-click".

3. The limitation of the mobility of the elbow joint, in the absence of visible changes may be caused by diffuse fasciitis. When the pathology of the skin on the inner surfaces of the forearms and shoulders becomes like an orange peel, it is impossible to collect in the fold, and under it will be found is absolutely painless seal.

4. Pain in the elbow can also be reflected in nature. Its cause may be infringement of the nerve roots in osteochondrosis of the spine or intervertebral hernias, which are localized in the segment of C5 - C6 and ThI - ThII. At this pathology is observed violation of the bend at the elbow, disorders of skin sensitivity on the surface of the forearm, the possible development of atrophy biceps muscles.

5. Injury of elbow joint. Most often there are rear dislocations elbow joint, at least - front and sides. Splints may be combined with the fractures of the bones, the components of the elbow joint, and also with a margin of tendons. The mechanism of injury: the fall of the palm of the hand, sports, manufacturing, road traffic injuries.
When the dislocation elbow joint deformed, forearm shorted, visible protruding elbow process. Have severe pain, movement in the joint sharply limited. When you try to extension of the joint is determined by the elastic resistance.
In the dislocation forearm elongated compared with healthy limb, in the field of ulnar process is determined by the retraction. The side sprains forearm shifted inwards or outwards. The front and side sprains there are often damage the elbow or the median nerve with the loss of sensitivity on the brush.
At rupture of tendons often suffers biceps muscle of his shoulder, can sometimes come off several tendons of muscles. In this case violated function of the active movements of the upper limbs, reduced power bent at the elbow, the asymmetry arises form the muscles in comparison with the intact limb, there is swelling and pain.



Which doctor should I contact if there is a pain in the elbow

  • Neurologist
  • Traumatologist
  • Rheumatologist


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Do you feel elbow hurts? You should be very careful approach to your health in general. People pay not enough attention to the symptoms of the disease and don't realize that these diseases can be critically dangerous. There are many diseases that in the beginning didn't manifest in our body, but in the end it turns out, unfortunately, it have already been treated too late. Every disease has its own specific features typical symptoms - called symptoms of the disease. Definition of symptoms is the first step in the diagnosis of diseases in general. You just need a few times a year to be screened by a doctor, not only to prevent a terrible disease, but also to maintain a healthy spirit in a body and the organism in general.

Pains by category

Pains by alphabet


Map of the symptoms and the types of pain is intended solely for educational purposes. We strongly recommend do NOT self-medicate; on all matters relating to the definition of the disease and ways of its treatment, contact your doctor. Md-tips is not responsible for the consequences of use information posted on the site.

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