These symptoms indicate an inflammation of the periosteum at the elbow

An inflammation of the periosteum at the elbow causes a number of typical symptoms. First, the affected patients feel pain in the elbow and are unable to fully extend the joint. In addition, movements of the wrist and fingers also hurt, resulting in more or less pronounced movement restrictions.

As a result, patients adopt a relieving posture and can no longer fully extend the elbow. The elbow may be swollen due to the inflammation, and the skin over the tendon attachment may be overheated and reddened.A feeling of weakness and tingling in the forearm or hand may also be due to periosteitis of the elbow. Pain is a characteristic symptom of periosteitis of the elbow.

The periosteum is very well supplied with blood and contains numerous nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to the central nervous system in the event of inflammation. Frequently, the pain can be relieved by physical rest alone. The doctor can also prescribe pain-relieving drugs, usually from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac), which also have an anti-inflammatory effect. For very severe pain, special pain therapies such as shock wave therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or cortisone injections may be useful.

Diagnosis

In case of pain in the elbow, it is best to consult an orthopedist. After a detailed discussion, the doctor will examine the painful arm and perform a series of tests to determine the extent of movement and gripping ability. Based on these results, the doctor can then diagnose periosteitis of the elbow and prescribe appropriate therapy. In unclear cases, X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.

Therapy

The first and most important step in the treatment of periostitis of the elbow is to immobilize the affected joint. If possible, patients should definitely avoid the trigger of the inflammation (e.g. tennis or computer work) and take care of themselves physically. The doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication, e.g. ibuprofen or diclofenac, to relieve the pain.

Drugs that cause muscle relaxation can also be used for periostitis. In addition to relief, stretching and strengthening the arm muscles is an important treatment step. However, these exercises should only be performed when there is no longer any acute pain.

Another form of therapy for periostitis is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Here, electrical impulses are delivered via skin electrodes to nerve fibers in the elbow to reduce the transmission of pain to the brain. A direct injection of local anesthetics into the aching elbow can also help to relieve the pain.

Another pain-relieving treatment option is extracorporeal shock wave therapy or laser treatment. The physician decides together with the patient on the basis of the individual symptoms which therapy is most appropriate in the end. In severe cases, surgery may also be necessary to treat periostitis of the elbow.