Elbow pain, or myalgia, can occur when tense or relaxed. 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 made up 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.
- Elbow muscle. It starts from the axillary zone and reaches the back of the elbow. Its function is to retract the joint capsule and extend the forearm.
Myalgia (inflammation of a muscle) causes the loss of one or another function of the hand, which makes it possible to determine which muscle can be damaged.
Why my elbow hurts
The causes of pain can be different. If the ulnar muscle is damaged, then the function of extension of the forearm, as well as the articular capsule, is impaired. This occurs for various reasons. Among them:
- polymyalgia;
- polymyositis;
- general intoxication;
- muscle parasites;
- convulsions;
- injuries and sprains;
- muscle tissue rheumatism;
- amyloidosis and other pathologies.
The elbow muscle can hurt with different intensity, depending on the degree of damage and the type of pathology that led to the onset of the syndrome.
Polymyositis
The elbow muscle can hurt with polymyositis. This pathology is manifested by the following symptoms:
- skin lesion;
- lesion of the subcutaneous tissue;
- mucosal lesions;
- general intoxication syndrome;
- somatic disorders.
When affected by polymyositis, the elbow muscle begins to hurt, movements become limited, swelling, induration, weakness appear.
Injuries
Injuries include rupture and sprain of muscles in the elbow joint, bruises. This causes pain, swelling, hematomas. 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 reliever. The limb becomes edematous. If there is a rupture of the muscular apparatus, then there may be observedhematomas.
Muscular rheumatism
After 50, muscular rheumatism is often diagnosed. This type of pathology is characterized by tension, pain, weakness, prolapse of the joints and atrophy of the muscles of the hands. The affected elbow muscle ceases to perform its functions.
Pathology of nerves
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.
Pain syndrome in neuralgia occurs paroxysmal. It may last a few minutes, or it may last only a few seconds.
Myositis
The ulnar muscle of the shoulder can become inflamed. This pathology is called myositis. She is being 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, such as SARS. In half of the cases of diagnosing myositis, inflammation of the muscles occurs due to excessive physical exertion on the elbow muscles.
With myositis, the pain is aching, while moving it increases several times. On examination, the doctor may find lumps.
When an infection joins, purulent myositis may occur. General intoxication syndrome appears, the hand swells, the skin becomes hyperemic.
Parasitic myositis is a rare form of elbow muscle pathology. It occurs whendamage to tissues of various kinds by parasites: toxoplasma, cysticerci, etc. With this form of the disease, fever develops, pain in the arm. Chewing muscles, tongue, chest are affected.
Spontaneous contraction
The ulnar muscle of the forearm can hurt with spontaneous contraction of the muscle. Typically, such spasms occur in women. Spontaneous contractions may increase during physical exertion, in a damp, cool place. They not only lead to limb function failure, but also disrupt sleep.
Styloiditis and tendonitis
With styloiditis, the pain is aching, aching, with small loads it increases greatly. With tendonitis, not only pain occurs, but also swelling, hyperemia.
With these pathologies, the mobility of the elbow joint is impaired.
Diagnosis
To clarify the cause of the pain, it is necessary to conduct a diagnosis. 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 pain.
Treatment
Treatment of the elbow 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 forimprove blood circulation;
- fixing the joints (applying a cast or bandage).
According to the indications, physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy can be prescribed. To keep the muscles of the upper limbs in excellent shape, you need to play sports and monitor your general he alth, visit doctors on time, without waiting for complications in the form of pain in the elbow muscle.
