Elbow pain occurs due to local pathologies occurring in and around the joint or painful pathologies reflected from neighboring areas to the elbow area. Neck, shoulder and hand-wrist diseases can cause pain felt around the elbow. This type of pain is usually felt widely in the arm. Although neck pain presents common symptoms and physical examination findings, especially those related to nerve involvement, in some cases it can also present as local pain. For this reason, examination of adjacent joints, especially neck, shoulder and wrist, is extremely important in case of elbow pain.
Elbow Arthritis (Inflammation in the Elbow)
Elbow arthritis The most common complaint of the patient is pain. The severity of pain and degree of movement limitation are important in determining appropriate treatment in these patients. Another factor that affects treatment is the age and functional status of the patient. There are many causes of elbow arthritis. The main ones are rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory rheumatism), osteoarthritis (calcification), traumatic arthritis, gout and septic arthritis (microbial inflammation).
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is an inflammatory rheumatism that can affect the elbow as well as many joints. Elbow involvement is usually characterized by pain throughout the range of motion. Rotation restriction in the arm occurs as the disease progresses. Instability occurs in the elbow joint because damage occurs to soft tissues in addition to bone structures.
Osteoarthritis: Primary osteoarthritis of the elbow is a rare disease. It occurs almost exclusively in men. It has a strong relationship with excessive use of the arm, such as lifting weights and using heavy machines.
Trauma-related arthritis: It can be seen after any trauma, regardless of its severity. Although it is seen in both genders and at all ages, it is more common in young men. Patients complain of pain throughout the joint range of motion. Instability does not develop frequently.
Gouty arthritis: The elbow joint is not a common and typical location for gout. Acute arthritis attacks usually occur between the ages of 40 and 60 in men and after the age of 60 in women. Gout disease manifests itself with bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sac around the joint) in the elbow joint.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis. Bench elbow is a common pathology in the elbow. Tennis elbow is most common in the 45-54 age group. Age is an important factor in the formation of pathology and it is rare before the age of 30. With advancing age, changes in collagen content, decreases in cell number and increase in fat tissue increase the susceptibility to injury. Smoking and overuse of the elbow joint also increase the risk. Repetitive and challenging activities set the stage for the development of tennis elbow. For this reason, tennis elbow is more common in active middle-aged people than in less active older people. Sometimes bilateral involvement is seen. Although the pain in tennis elbow is around the elbow joint, it can radiate up and down the arm. Grip strength decreases due to pain.
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
There is pain in the inner part of the elbow. The pain radiates towards the inner surface of the forearm. It is less common than tennis elbow.
Little League Elbow
Little League Elbow is a stress trauma caused by overload on the inside of the elbow. It is a wear and tear in the growth plate in athletes whose skeleton is still in the immature period. It is seen with a frequency of 20-40% in basketball players between the ages of 9-12. Although the diagnosis is made clinically, x-rays are helpful in making the diagnosis. In its treatment, throwing movements should be prohibited for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.
Olecranon Bursitis
Inflammation may occur in the bursae around the elbow. It causes swelling and pain around the elbow. Olecranon bursitis is the most common bursitis. Due to its superficial location, the olecranon bursa is vulnerable to friction trauma. Again, fluid accumulation that occurs for this reason is easily seen. Pain is generally localized. It cannot be provoked by passive or resisted elbow movements. Pain usually occurs when leaning on the elbow and bending the elbow within a tight sleeve of clothing.
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