Definition
Pain in the elbow can occur in many different forms. Depending on the cause, the pain can be acute, stabbing and shooting, or chronic and dull. The elbow joint consists of three individual joints, in whose movement bones, some muscles, tendons and bursae are involved.
These structures are susceptible to damage and injury in case of abrupt injuries but also after years of incorrect use. One speaks of acute pain when the pain occurs immediately and suddenly and is due to a concrete event. Such acute pain subsides within a few days to hours after treatment of the cause. However, chronic pain can also occur in the elbow, which can be permanently dull or triggered by movements in the joint. One usually speaks of chronic pain if the pain persists for more than 6 months.
Causes of elbow pain
The pain occurs when there is irritation or damage to the painful structures. In rare cases, the cause of the pain may be elsewhere. For example, if the pain is transmitted from the spinal column to the elbow, it is called radicular pain, which is caused by the irritation of the nerve root.
In most cases, newly occurring pain is caused by irritation of the tendons and ligament structures on the outside of the elbow. Tendons are the taut ends of a muscle that are anchored to a bone and transfer the force of the muscle to the bones and joints. If the associated muscle is overstressed, these tendons can become irritated or inflamed.
A common clinical picture that causes pain in the outer elbow is tennis elbow. This is an inflammation of the tendon, caused by monotonous movements, which are performed especially in tennis. Direct violence and accidents can also lead to damage and pain in the elbow.
The humerus, radius or ulna can break near the joint or take up incorrect positions. In addition, a rupture of the capsule in the elbow joint can occur. This is also associated with severe pain.
A very common injury in children is the dislocation of the radius in the area of the elbow. This can often be caused by a slight pull on the child’s hand. This causes the child to hold the arm in an angled protective position.
Inflammation of the joint may occur less frequently. The inflammation can be caused by pathogens or occur without a recognizable cause, for example in the context of a rheumatic disease. If left untreated, an inflammation in the elbow joint can cause damage to the joint structures and cartilage.
The bursa lying in the joint can also become inflamed. This must often be surgically removed for treatment. The cartilage can also be damaged in the context of joint arthrosis.
This is a disease that occurs mainly in older people and is due to long-term signs of wear and tear. In this case, the pain is increased, especially under stress and movement. If the pain can be provoked by targeted pressure from outside on the elbow, this indicates an existing inflammatory process.
Inflammation is often accompanied by swelling, redness, overheating and limited mobility. Tennis elbow in particular is a frequent cause of inflammation of the elbow joint. Acute injuries of the bones, muscles and ligaments can also cause local inflammation, which can become painfully noticeable through pressure.
A capsule rupture in the elbow joint is primarily caused by violent impacts on the joint. Capsules surround all joints in the body and serve as protection against tensile and pressure loads as well as to nourish the joint cartilage with the so-called “synovial fluid“. The synovial fluid lubricates the joint surfaces and causes the movements to become less frictional and gliding.
A capsule tear can be accompanied by numerous concomitant injuries and symptoms and cause severe pain. Injury to the joint capsule in the elbow severely restricts the function of the joint. Consequential diseases can also result from the injury.
In a healthy joint, bursae have the function of cushioning movements and protecting bones, cartilage and tendons.These are small bags filled with the so-called “synovial fluid“. The synovial fluid is the joint fluid that enables a low-friction, gliding movement in the joint. Bursa sacs are located not only in the elbow but also in the knee joint.
An inflammation of the bursa can have many causes. It is often caused by overloading of the joint, prolonged pressure or acute injuries such as bone fractures. This is followed by redness and swelling, which makes the movements in the elbow painful.
In many cases, the bursitis can subside on its own by cooling and sparing. Quite often, however, the effusion in the joint has to be punctured or even operated. The head of the radius is the upper part of the radius, one of the two bones of the forearm.
The radial head is partially involved in the elbow joint. It interacts mainly with the upper part of the ulna, around which it rotates during rotational movements in the forearm. The radius can slip out of the anchorage with the ulna, for example, if the hand is pulled jerkily.
This blocking of the radial head is also known as “Chassaignac’s paralysis” or “nanny’s elbow”. It is the most common dislocation of a joint in childhood. If the child’s hand or forearm is pulled abruptly, the radius can easily luxate.
The arm becomes immobile at the elbow and assumes a hanging, slightly internally rotated, protective position. The reduction is usually performed very easily by a doctor. In contrast to arthrosis of the knee or hip joint, elbow arthrosis is a rather rare disease.
Arthrosis is a wear and tear of the joint, which is caused by a reduction and wear of the cartilage of the joint surface. As the disease progresses, every movement in the joint becomes painful and the bony joint surfaces rub against each other and can also be damaged. Since the elbows have to carry little weight, they are less affected by natural wear and tear. Premature wear and tear of the cartilage can only occur after injuries, with construction workers or in the case of severe incorrect loading. The only therapy is to stop the arthrosis from progressing and to have a joint prosthesis fitted in case of severe damage and severe pain.
