Muscle inflammation at the elbow | Muscle inflammation

Muscle inflammation at the elbow

One form of muscle inflammation is the so-called “Myositis ossificans”. This is a form of myositis ossificans, a form of muscle inflammation in which injuries occur in accidents, resulting in ossification of tissue in the wrong places. This can be hereditary, with progressive ossification of connective tissue, or as a result of injuries or operations.

Especially in the elbow joint, ossifying muscle inflammation is a rare concomitant of injuries, including surgery. Under certain circumstances, the ossification can spread over the muscles of the upper arm. Immediate therapy, sometimes including operations, must be started immediately to stop the process.

Permanent damage and impairment of the joint function is a possible consequence. The joint then becomes increasingly stiff and immobile due to the increasing bony structures. Myositis is often noticeable when, after an injury and treatment, severe pain still occurs after a few days or weeks. In radiological images, unfortunately, ossification can only be detected when it has long been active.

Muscle inflammation of the shin bone

Similar to the calf muscles, myositis can also spread to the muscles around the shin. Restricted movement, muscle weakness and pain are the result. A direct pain in the shin bone is rather rare. The pain is only felt when local pressure is applied to the affected area or when the lower leg muscles are moved. Protection is then indicated.

Treatment of muscle inflammation

If you feel persistent muscle weakness and severe pain, you should consult a doctor. As muscle inflammation is a rather rare disease in our regions, it is not always easy to make a clear diagnosis. However, if there is a suspicion of inflammation and if this is confirmed, for example by a tissue sample, therapy must be started immediately to stop the inflammatory process.Otherwise, chronic, painful inflammation can occur, which in the long run leads to a severe reduction in muscle mass.

Immediate protection is important for the affected muscle region. The doctor will prescribe cortisone preparations as medication. These take effect after a few days to weeks, in some patients it can take up to 6 weeks until improvement.

The therapy is controlled by constant blood checks until the inflammation values and the muscle-specific enzymes in the blood return to normal. In severe cases, in which even cortisone preparations do not help, immunosuppressive drugs can be taken. They lower the immune system and thus also reduce the body’s own inflammatory reaction.

However, this makes the body more sensitive to all kinds of pathogens. For certain muscle groups, physiotherapy is also advisable during the acute phase of the inflammation. This is particularly important if the swallowing or breathing muscles are involved so that they do not lose too much of their function.

General rehabilitation is only possible once the inflammation has healed or is no longer in an acute phase. Too long a period of sparing begins with a loss of still existing muscle functions. The aim of rehabilitation is to maintain as many functions as possible and to rebuild muscle functions as best as possible after the inflammation has subsided.