What is meant by burning in the elbow?
A burning sensation in the elbow is a disease that affects the structures of the elbow and usually involves inflammation. The inflammatory processes are similar to allergies and are accompanied by warming and burning in the affected area. The cause of the inflammation can be a disease affecting the bones, tendons, muscles, nerves or even the bursa in the elbow.
Causes of the disease
A common cause that can cause a burning sensation in the elbow is the so-called tennis elbow. It is caused by the fact that the outer muscles of the forearm are particularly stressed when playing tennis. These muscles pull over a tendon to the elbow and start here at the bone.
When the muscles are strained, a violent pull is exerted on the tendons. When overstrained, these tendons become inflamed, which in turn leads to a burning sensation in the elbow. Other types of overstrain or sports with similar movements can also cause inflammation of the tendons in the elbow.
On the basis of the localisation of the complaints, one can draw conclusions about the overstrained muscle group. Another cause for the burning in the elbow can be an inflammation of the bursa. For example, in an attack of gout, individual crystals of uric acid, which are more common in the joint with gout, can become detached and irritate the bursa.
This leads to an inflammation of the bursa, where even the slightest movement or pressure on the elbow can cause severe pain and burning sensation. Furthermore, the cause of the burning can be damage to the ulnar nerve. This nerve runs from the back of the upper arm, inside along the elbow and from there in the direction of the hand.
Even a slight irritation of the nerve causes a tingling sensation that can radiate into the little fingers. If the nerve is more severely damaged or even severed, this is often felt as pain or burning at the corresponding point. Since the ulnar nerve at the elbow is located just under the skin and close to the bone, damage in the area of the elbow is often experienced. In addition, an inflammation in the elbow can occur with pre-existing illnesses such as arthrosis or rheumatism.
Associated symptoms
Depending on the cause of the burning in the elbow, different accompanying symptoms can occur. If certain muscles of the forearm are overstrained, the pain on the respective side of the arm can radiate into the hand. If the patient is suffering from a disease such as rheumatism or gout, accompanying fever can occur.
All diseases that involve inflammation have redness, warming and swelling of the affected area as accompanying symptoms. The burning sensation in the elbow is often accompanied by pain. The pain is caused by a causal disease.
For this reason, the trigger of this disease should be sought at the point where the pain first occurs. If the disease results in an inflammation or damage to the nerve, a burning sensation in the elbow occurs. The pain may also radiate to other parts of the arm.
Among others, the muscles that were involved in the overexertion are affected. An unpleasant feeling in the elbow in the form of a pulling or stabbing sensation is usually felt when the tendons that pull along the elbow are damaged. This damage is usually caused by excessive strain on the muscles of the forearm, which exerts a pull on the tendons.
Thus, the tendons can easily become inflamed or even tear. Even slight movements that involve pulling on the tendon will then cause a pulling or stabbing sensation. The localisation of the burning in the elbow can provide information about the cause.
The ulnar nerve runs along the inside of the elbow. It is responsible for movements in the forearm and hand and transmits the information about touches at these points back to the brain. Damage to or a severing of the nerve can lead to pain and burning on the inside.
Overstraining movements of the forearm muscles, which are located at the ulna, can irritate the inner tendons at the elbow. These movements can include long typing or writing. An inflammation of the bursa also tends to manifest itself on the inside of the elbow.
A burning sensation on the outside of the elbow can be caused by unusual or very intense strain on the muscles of the forearm in the area of the ulna. For example when playing tennis or golf or when the hand is bent backwards this muscle group is strained. This causes a pull on the tendons, which pull towards the outside of the elbow. Overloading in this area can cause damage or inflammation, which manifests itself as a burning sensation in the elbow.
