Introduction
Inflammation of the tendon of the arm is an inflammatory and painful disease of the tendon of a muscle of the arm, usually caused by overloading or incorrect loading. The arm is equipped with a large number of muscles, all of which are fixed to the bone with a tendon in order to ensure the corresponding stability. (see arm muscles) Tendon inflammations occur relatively frequently and can lead to protracted complaints on the one hand, but also to resulting restrictions in mobility on the other.
Causes of inflammation of tendons in the arm
In most cases, tendon inflammation of the arm is caused by overloading or incorrect loading. Due to the proximity of the tendon to the bone, every movement always causes considerable friction and thus possible irritation of the tendon. However, normal and habitual movements can usually be performed without discomfort.
However, if the arm is overloaded in any way, by lifting heavy loads, or if very unaccustomed movements are performed in the arm, there may be increased friction. Short-term friction also tends not to lead to inflammation, but very frequent and often performed movements lead to more friction. This can then lead to an inflammation of the tendons.
Even long periods of incorrect strain can lead to inflammation of the tendons. Inflammations in the tendon area, if they last for a long time, lead to damage to the otherwise very stable tendons and make them porous. If the muscle is not consistently spared and appropriate treatment is not initiated, the tendon may be torn or ruptured, which not only causes very severe pain, but may also lead to a loss of function and sometimes even to complete uselessness of the muscle.
What are the symptoms of tendonitis in the arm?
The treatment of tendonitis of the upper arm is usually performed conservatively, i.e. surgical treatment is rarely necessary. The most important measure after the diagnosis of an inflammation of the upper arm tendon is to rest and immobilize it. Thus, the movements that have led to the inflammation of the tendon of the humerus should not be performed for the time being.
The arm should be kept still, but not completely immobilized. Regular cooling, especially shortly after the inflammation has started, can help the symptoms to subside more quickly. For cooling, you can use an ice pack wrapped in a towel and place it on the site of the painful tendon for about 5-10 minutes.
Ice packs should not be placed directly on the skin, as the enormous cold can damage the skin and its vessels if it comes into direct contact with them. The whole thing should then be done 2-3 times a day. Cooling gels with anti-inflammatory active ingredients such as ibuprofen (Doc®Gel) or diclofenac (Voltaren®) also help to promote recovery.
In cases of very severe inflammation, it may be necessary to use tablets with a stronger anti-inflammatory effect. Here too, the active ingredients ibuprofen and/or diclofenac can be used. For the conservative treatment of tendon inflammation of the arm, a number of ointments are available, the effects of which help very well with moderate inflammation.
Doc®Gel contains the active ingredient ibuprofen and can be applied to the painful area of the arm 2-3 times a day if no allergies are present. Diclofenac, which is also available in the form of a pain gel, often has a somewhat stronger anti-inflammatory effect. It can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies under the trade name Voltaren® and should also be applied 2-3 times a day to the inflamed tendon area.
Kytta® ointments have a cooling and also slightly anti-inflammatory effect and can be tried out in advance. Under the trade name Mobilat® an ointment is available and can be successfully used for both joint pain and muscle aches. The active substance is flufenamic acid, which is attributed an anti-inflammatory effect.
Also Mobilat® can be applied 2-3 times daily to the aching areas of the muscle.
- Doc®Gel contains the active ingredient ibuprofen and can be applied 2-3 times a day to the painful area of the arm if no allergies are present.
- Diclofenac, which is also available in the form of a pain gel, often has a somewhat stronger anti-inflammatory effect. It can be obtained over the counter from pharmacies under the trade name Voltaren® and should also be applied to the inflamed tendon area 2-3 times a day.
- Kytta® ointments have a cooling and also slightly anti-inflammatory effect and can be tried out in advance.
- Under the trade name Mobilat® an ointment is available and can be successfully used for joint pain as well as for muscle pain.
The active substance is flufenaminic acid, to which an anti-inflammatory effect is attributed. Also Mobilat® can be applied 2-3 times daily to the aching areas of the muscle.
In the so-called taping procedure, an elastic and self-adhesive tape is stuck to the affected painful muscle to relieve it. The exact mechanism of action of muscle taping has not yet been clarified.
It is assumed, however, that in everyday life, the forces acting on the muscle are passed on to neighboring healthy muscles and the skin through the applied tape, thus protecting the diseased muscle. The tape, which is available as kinesiotape, for example, should be applied to dry, non-greasy skin and without pulling. A tape can remain in the same place for several days to weeks.
If the symptoms do not improve, however, the treatment concept should be critically reviewed. Today, the taping procedure is an integral part of the treatment of muscle and joint diseases. One of the most important measures in the conservative treatment of tendonitis of the upper arm is adequate immobilization.
However, since the arm is used automatically and without thinking during many movements, sometimes a fixation by a bandage is necessary. Elastic bandages are used for bandaging, which should then cover the affected and painful part of the arm. It is important that the bandage should not be applied to the arm under too much tension.
In addition to immobilization, bandaging also has an analgesic effect due to its compressing effect on the tissue.A bandage can also remain on the arm for several days, but should at least be changed afterwards and the arm should be examined again within this framework. In addition to the conventional medical treatment approaches, there are some home remedies that have been used for centuries in the treatment of inflammatory muscle diseases. Quark wraps are often used successfully.
Here, cooled curd cheese should be applied to a towel and then placed on the affected muscle or wrapped around it. It is said that the quark reduces an existing inflammation by its cooling but also stops inflammatory processes by certain ingredients. The second is scientifically not proven.
Furthermore, Franzbranntwein is used in the treatment of tendon inflammation of the arm. This solution has a strong cooling effect and should therefore lead to an inhibition of inflammation on the one hand but also to a reduction of pain. Furthermore, there are also herbal-based teas, which are also said to have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body.
The ingredients should be poured over with hot water, usually in a dried state, and the tea should then be left to steep for about 10 minutes. A cup of this anti-inflammatory tea should be drunk several times a day. In addition to its use for muscle and tendon disorders, this tea can also be used for other inflammatory processes in the body.
In the context of a severe inflammation of the muscle tendons of the upper arm, however, the tea should not be taken as a sole treatment, but only as an accompanying measure.
- Ginger,
- Turmeric,
- Honey,
- Coconut oil and
- Cinnamon.
In order to choose the right homeopathic medication, some things should be considered that are not closely related to the pain, the locality and the accompanying symptoms. For example, a particular homeopathic medication may be more likely to be used if the patient complains of nocturnal restlessness or the like in addition to muscle pain.
In order to make the right choice of medication, the patient must be interviewed with the appropriate precision. In general, however, it can be said that the following homeopathic preparations are often used for joint and muscle pain and also for tendonitis of the upper arm: Acidum pricrinicum, Aranin, Bellis perennis, Ferrum phosphoricum and Hamamelis. The medicine is taken in the form of so-called globules.
These are small globules that must be taken at certain times of the day. It is important to note that after taking the medicine, the symptoms may initially worsen slightly, but then quickly improve and finally heal. Homeopathic treatments can be used at any time to accompany mild forms of inflammation of the muscles. In the case of very severe inflammation of the muscles, orthodox medical measures should be used instead.