Symptoms of epicondylitis of the elbow joint

Today we will consider the causes and signs of epicondylitis of the elbow joint. This ailment is attributed to degenerative-inflammatory lesions of the musculoskeletal system of a person. In the process of development of this pathology tissue is destroyed, the inflammatory process begins.

How does epicondylitis occur?

The cause of the disease is most often any prolonged traumatic effects on the surrounding elbow joint of the tissue. Such problems arise, as a rule, among athletes professionally engaged in, for example, tennis or golf. This pathology is noted in representatives of other professions: masseurs, builders, carpenters, etc., as well as in people who are forced to constantly carry weights.

Those who belong to the above categories, there are micro-ruptures in the tendons, in places of attachment to the bone, caused by the implementation of repetitive motions. And this, in turn, causes the inflammatory process on the adjacent bone tissue and gives characteristic manifestations of epicondylitis of the elbow joint.

Features of the disease

In medicine, there are two types of this pathology: external (or lateral epicondylitis) and internal (medial). Accordingly, localized and pain, which is the main symptom of this disease: either in the outer or inner epicondylitis (the place where the flexor and extensor muscles are attached).

In the presence of epicondylitis elbow joint patient can always very accurately indicate the place where the pain occurred. True, sometimes it can also carry an irradiating character, spilling over the outer or inner edge of the hand. When you feel the doctor discovers a tightness and the most painful point. As a rule, neither the joint nor the skin over it changes externally.

How does the external epicondylitis of the elbow joint

If the pressing pain occurs when you try to take, lift, bear the object or turn your arm outward and unbend it at the elbow - it is an external epicondylitis. By the way, this pathology has a feature: if the muscles of the patient are passive, and someone will rotate or unbend his arm - this will not cause discomfort. Over time, it becomes difficult for the patient to even greet the affected hand (the so-called symptom of a handshake).

Medial epicondylitis of the elbow joint: treatment

Unlike external epicondylitis, the internal is less common, and mostly in individuals dealing with small monotonous physical exertion. The pain in this case appears when you try to bend your arm or turn it inside. It is localized on the inner side of the forearm, around the entire joint, irradiating into the wrist.

Both types of epicondylitis of the elbow joint should be treated only with the help of a specialist. As a rule, this happens on an outpatient basis. The doctor will find out the cause of the illness and pick up anti-inflammatory drugs (it can be both ointments and injections). Physiotherapeutic procedures are also prescribed: acupuncture and physiotherapy. In difficult cases, surgical intervention is used.

Do not self-medicate!