Inflammation of the elbow joint

To inflammation of the elbow joint( inflammatory diseases of the periarticular structures) can result in various joint injuries, excessive stress on the elbow joint area after a long break, forced long-term position of the arm. Inflammation of the joint - these are diseases of the elbow joint, such as bursitis and epicondylitis.

Epicondylitis of the elbow joint

In medicine, there are two localizations of this inflammatory process: epicondylitis of the lateral( external) epicondyle and epicondylitis of the medial( internal) epicondyle.

With such inflammation of the elbow joint as an epicondylitis of the lateral epicondyle, a gradually increasing pain of blunt character is characteristic. This pain is localized clearly over the outer surface of the elbow joint, it increases with rotational or grasping movements. When feeling, there is a sharp pain in the joint area.

Epicondylitis of the medial, in other words, the internal condyle has exactly the same symptoms and causes. The only difference is that the pain is localized from the inside of the elbow joint. Epicondylitis is an inflammation of the joint, which requires immediate treatment.

Treatment of epicondylitis of the elbow joint

For the treatment of this form of inflammation of the elbow joint, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are considered to be quite effective. For example, Diclofenac, Nimesulide, Meloxicam. These medications can be used in the form of ointments and in the form of tablets. Epicondylitis can be accompanied by the presence in the joint cavity of the pathological effusion. In these cases, intra-articular injections of analgesics with glucocorticosteroids may have a good therapeutic effect.

Inflammation of the elbow joint - bursitis

Bursitis is an inflammation of the periarticular synovial bag, usually with accumulation in the cavity of its effusion( exudate).The main feature of bursitis is the appearance of mobile swelling in the joint zone. Tumescence is often painful when feeling, and in the area of ​​inflammation of the elbow joint, fever rises, redness may appear. Such inflammation in the elbow joint can limit or impair the motor function of the limb. Sometimes it is difficult for the patient to bend and unbend the joint.

With prolonged course of this inflammation of the elbow joint, the disease becomes chronic. In this case, formations in the form of calcium deposits are possible. If the deposits are large, then there are constant unpleasant sensations in the elbow area, which interfere with the movements of the hand. Specialists in this case resort to their removal.

To inflammation of the elbow joint can attach a pathological microflora, then bursitis has a purulent character. Acute purulent inflammation of the joint begins acutely: there is a headache, weakness, nausea, aching muscles, the temperature rises. The zone of the elbow joint swells, over the joint the skin becomes red and feels hot.

Treatment of such inflammation of the elbow joint as bursitis

In acute inflammation, the treatment of bursitis can be limited to the following measures. Imposition of a fixative bandage on the elbow joint, to prevent further traumatic effects on the joint bag. The patient is prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to which the bursitis pathogen is sensitive.

If there is specific bursitis of the joint, treatment with antibacterial drugs will also be specific. It depends on the type of pathogen itself. To the ongoing therapy in the case of resistance, sometimes include corticosteroids, which are injected directly into the cavity of the joint bag.

With a purulent inflammation of the elbow joint, a more serious approach to treatment is needed. The patient is referred to a surgeon, for puncture the bag, washing it and injecting antibiotics and corticosteroids directly into the inflammatory focus. After the treatment is continued in accordance with the principles of purulent surgery, and in the case of severe inflammation of the joint, treatment continues in a hospital setting.

For chronic treatment of elbow bursitis, surgical intervention is necessary because with this form of joint inflammation all conditions for periodic relapses of inflammation are created.