What can be the long-term consequences of periostitis?
An inflammation of the periosteum can be very long in its treatment, but often does not have long-term consequences. Especially if the patient is sufficiently physically protected, the symptoms can disappear completely after a few months. Nevertheless, there is still a risk that the periosteitis will break out again and once again result in a reduced ability to work out and do sports. Anyone who suffers permanently from periostitis can develop chronic pain. These bring along restrictions of movement, which can have a negative effect on the physical fitness, but also on the psychological condition of those affected.
Localization of an inflammation of the periosteum
In principle, all bones can be affected by periosteitis. However, the bones on whose surface corresponding muscle tendons are attached are particularly frequently affected. The inner side of the tibia is a bone that is frequently affected by periostitis because these conditions prevail there.Inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis) of the tibia has its origin in most cases in sports overloading.
It occurs mainly in endurance runners and sportsmen and women, especially soccer. The disease is particularly favored by a too fast increase in training. A possible non-infectious cause is also, although much less frequently, blows or kicks against the shin bone.
Symptomatically, as with other periostitides, swelling and reddening of the affected area is also evident. Pain occurs mainly when pressure is applied to the inflamed area and increases in intensity when the patient is under stress. The treatment of periostitis of the tibia is hardly different from periostitis of other parts of the body and is just as lengthy.
Immobilization of the tibia has the highest priority. Cooling and anti-inflammatory or painkilling drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac are also very helpful. As long as significant pain occurs under stress, no sports should be done.
This may well take several weeks. Once the most severe pain has subsided, you should first switch to more gentle sports such as swimming and cycling. In addition, the front shin muscles should be given more attention in the future.
Targeted strength training and stretching of these muscles can prevent new periostitis. Just like periostitis of the shin bone, periostitis of the elbow is often the result of overstrain. Sports such as golf, athletics, volleyball, squash or tennis are the main focus.
In addition to swelling and redness of the affected elbow, painfulness under pressure and increasing pain during exertion are in the foreground. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are particularly noteworthy. Therapeutically, immobilisation of the bone, possibly over several weeks, is also important here; a tape bandage is well suited for this purpose.
The elbow should also be cooled. Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac are also recommended. A renewed start into the training should be done slowly, possibly gentle sports like swimming or cycling should be chosen first.
Sufficiently long warm-up and rest phases should play an important role. Inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis) of the foot is often the result of foot malpositions in combination with running training. Running training in combination with overweight or simply jogging on hard ground with insufficient cushioning by the sole of the shoe can also be the cause.
In addition to the generally applicable principles for the treatment of periosteal inflammation, the focus is now on eliminating the cause. An analysis of the foot rolling behavior by the orthopedist or at least in a store for running shoes should be performed. Based on this, suitable footwear can finally be selected.
Orthopedic insoles can also be helpful. A return to training should be started slowly; gentle sports like cycling and swimming are well suited for this. An inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis) of the hip is quite rare.
Like other periostitides, it typically occurs due to muscular overuse of the adjacent muscles or in connection with bacterial infections. Blows or impacts on the bone can also cause periosteitis. Typical symptoms are also pain when pressure is applied to the inflamed area and especially when under stress and swelling.
The healing of periosteal inflammation is also quite protracted at the hip. The only therapeutic options are immobilization of the hip and the suspension of sporting activity for several weeks, as well as cooling and taking pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication. In any case, prolonged pain in the hip should be clarified by a physician.
Inflammations of the periosteum (periostitis) on the wrist often have their origin in frequent work at the PC. But blows to the wrist can also trigger periostitis. Especially on the hand, periostitis represents a deep cut in everyday life.
Typically, they are associated with pain under stress and especially when trying to grasp objects. In addition, there is swelling and redness of the wrist.The therapy of periostitis consists primarily of immobilization and cooling of the wrist. Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac are also recommended.