Bandages | Physiotherapy for elbow pain

Bandages

For most types of elbow pain, the cause is an abnormal and/or excessive load. In order for the resulting injuries or inflammations to heal, it is necessary to protect the elbow sufficiently and to keep it still. Elbow bandages are very suitable for this purpose.

They protect the joint from further strain, but still allow movement and thus contribute to pain relief. Meanwhile there are even elbow bandages which exert a slight pressure on the elbow area during movements, which is equivalent to a massage. This additional function is intended to stimulate the blood circulation and thus accelerate the healing processes.

In addition to the use of bandages for therapy, elbow bandages are also suitable for preventive purposes. For example, they protect the elbow during heavy manual work or sports such as tennis, golf or rowing. Kinesiotapes (=elastic adhesive bandages) can also be used as an alternative to bandages.

What if the fingers become numb?

If numbness in the fingers occurs in addition to elbow pain, nerve damage must first be considered. A possible cause of the complaints is the so-called Sulcus ulnaris syndrome: If the neuropathy of the nerve is strongly pronounced, an operation is necessary to prevent paralysis of the hand muscles. Otherwise, immobilization of the elbow in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs is sufficient to alleviate ulnar sulcus syndrome.

Physiotherapy supports the healing process by strengthening the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the hand and elbow.

  • A bottleneck syndrome of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This nerve runs along the inside of the elbow between the tip of the elbow and the bony process of the humerus through the so-called cubital canal.

    If the nerve is damaged in its course, e.g. by a pressure damage or a local bony proliferation, the bottleneck syndrome occurs. Those affected then feel numbness in the elbow, on the inside of the forearm, on the edge of the hand, on the ring finger and on the little finger. When pressure is applied to the elbow, the numbness becomes electrifying impulses. Those affected often have additional problems with fine motor activities, such as opening bottle caps or writing.

  • Another clinical picture that can trigger feelings of numbness in the fingers in combination with elbow pain is a slipped disc in the cervical spine. Nerves in the spinal cord are thereby compressed by the displaced disc material, so that pain and sensory disturbances can occur throughout the entire nerve tract.