Joints in the body are vital structures for the full realization of the desired movement. Pain in the elbow joint during throwing or similar movements may indicate that calcification has occurred in this joint. Complaints of elbow calcification, which can become quite annoying, should be conscious as it can be so severe that it prevents you from doing many of the actions you love.
What is Elbow Calcification?
Elbow calcification is a joint inflammation expressed as osteoarthritis. It is a condition that occurs as a result of the disease affecting the joint in the elbow region. Osteoarthritis usually tends to involve frequently used joints. If it affects the elbow area and calcification occurs, complaints such as blunt pain, joint swelling, stiffness in the joint or limitation of movement may occur in this area.
What are the Causes of Elbow Calcification?
Elbow calcification occurs as a result of wear or damage to the cartilage structures of the joint in the elbow area. After elbow dislocation and elbow fracture that occurred in the past, these situations can play a triggering role and prepare the ground for the formation of elbow calcification. In general, the underlying cause of elbow arthritis is aging and continuous use of the joint.
Frequent repetition of activities in which the joint is used causes damage to the protective cartilage layer on the joint surface located at the end of the bones. Loss of protective cartilage tissue results in the rubbing of hard bone surfaces against each other during movement. Therefore, complaints such as deformation, swelling and pain may occur over time.
The elbow joint is among the joints that are least affected by osteoarthritis. The reason for this situation is that the elbow joint is fixed with very strong ligaments and thus it is supported against impacts that may come from the outside. Ligament damage can lead to loss of joint stability and development of osteoarthritis.
Elbow calcification cases that develop in this way may follow a faster course than calcification cases caused by other reasons. In individuals with some elbow calcification, no history of tr There may be no hunting history. In these individuals, osteoarthritis occurs with the continuous use of the elbow joint during work or daily activities.
Osteoarthritis is a health problem that can occur in anyone. In general, the situations that are among the risk factors for the development of calcification in the elbow can be summarized as follows:
- Middle-aged men working in occupational groups that involve compelling physical activity
- Previous trauma involving the elbow area
- Advanced age
- Existence of other individuals affected by this condition in the family
What are the Symptoms of Calcification of the Elbow?
The most common complaints that may occur with calcification of the elbow are pain and limitation of joint range of motion. These symptoms may occur simultaneously or at different times. People may also have other complaints such as squeaking and locking sensations due to calcification.
The complaint of squeaking is caused by friction caused by the loss of normal joint surface. Locking complaint, on the other hand, occurs due to the interlocking of the bone surfaces due to the loss of trotters in the cartilage tissue. Because of this situation, which takes place outside of normal joint movement, it can sometimes be noticed that the movement is locked at one point.
Another symptom that may occur with elbow calcification is swelling in the joint. This complaint, which is not usually present at first, tends to appear in the later periods with the progression of the disease. Other symptoms such as limitation of joint range of motion and joint swelling may be effective in the occurrence of numbness. Joint swelling puts pressure on the nerve structures in the canal in this region and prepares the ground for the formation of nerve entrapment, which is defined as cubital tunnel syndrome. Occurrence of the syndrome may lead to the development of neuropathic symptoms such as prominent tingling and numbness in the pinky and ring finger. The intensity of the complaints that may occur with the diagnosis may vary depending on the severity of the disease. In general, the complaints that may occur with the problem of elbow calcification are as follows:
- Arrest
- Pain
- Strain during movement
- Cracking in the bones
- Lock joint
- Loss of joint stabilization
- Swelling in the joint
How to Diagnose Elbow Calcification
After applying to health institutions with complaints of calcification in the elbow, physicians first resort to physical examination and taking a medical history in order to reveal this problem. During the physical examination, it is evaluated whether there are any signs of trauma or other damage to the joint area. Then, it is examined how much the range of motion of the joint is affected by various maneuvers.
X-ray radiographs from radiological methods are very useful examinations in the diagnosis of elbow calcification. By examining the elbow film, it is possible to visualize the changes caused by osteoarthritis. This imaging test, which is also useful in the diagnosis of conditions with calcification after elbow fracture, also enables the detection of bone fragments that may develop due to osteoarthritis.
Advanced radiological examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) can also be used for the diagnosis of calcification in the elbow when necessary.
How is Elbow Calcification Treated?
The answer to the question of how elbow calcification is treated may vary depending on the underlying cause of this condition. The treatment approach to elbow arthritis usually starts with non-surgical treatment methods. Restriction of movements that trigger the formation of complaints, giving importance to rest during activities, prescribing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in pain control and physical therapy applications are among the non-surgical treatment methods that can be applied in cases of elbow arthritis.
Physical therapy treatment consists of gentle exercises and cold or hot applications. At the same time, in some patients, a splint can be applied to reduce the stress on the joint. Painkillers in advanced cases If the inflammation and pain caused by the larynges cannot be controlled, steroid injection treatment can also be applied.
Viscosupplementation is an alternative treatment method performed by injecting hyaluronic acid instead of steroid-containing drugs in cases of osteoarthritis. It should be noted that the researches on the success of this treatment method, which aims to control the complaints by increasing the quality of the joint fluid, are continuing. These individuals usually have severe damage to the joint surface on imaging studies. Today, arthroscopic elbow calcification surgery is a very effective method in controlling complaints and improving range of motion.
During this procedure, the removal of disjointed bone and cartilage fragments and the removal of inflammatory changes occurring on the joint surface are performed. This surgery, which allows the joint surfaces to become smooth again, can only be performed by making a few small incisions (incisions) on the skin.
In cases where the joint surface is completely damaged, joint replacement therapy using various prostheses may come to the fore. A dramatic improvement can be achieved in complaints such as pain and loss of function with this operation, which is called arthroplasty, in properly selected elbow calcification patients.
The elbow is a very important body joint and changes in this structure may adversely affect the movement of the entire arm. Although the changes that occur due to calcification are reversible, the complaints that occur during the disease process can be controlled with various treatment methods and lifestyle changes. Since the chance of success in the treatment of elbow calcification is related to early diagnosis, it is recommended that you apply to health institutions and get support from specialist physicians if you observe the symptoms of this disease in yourself.
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