Contusion of the elbow joint is one of the most painful lesions, because after a bruise, it hurts not only the elbow joint and the surface of the hand - pain sensations can spread to the cervical spine. In the elbow joint, three bones (brachial, radial and ulnar) co-articulate, which explains such negative consequences. To the bruise of the elbow joint should be taken seriously, tk. this injury can lead to limited mobility of the hand.
Contusion of the elbow joint - symptoms
Most often, the contusion of the elbow joint occurs as a result of a direct stroke or a fall with an emphasis on the elbow.
Clinical manifestations of an elbow joint injury are as follows:
- tenderness in the elbow joint bend;
- presence of swelling;
- presence of bruising;
- violation of joint function.
Contusions of the elbow joint are often accompanied by hemarthrosis, which develops as a result of hemorrhage from a damaged fibrous capsule and synovial membrane. The incoming blood helps to stretch the capsule of the joint, as a result of which the capillaries are squeezed and the cartilage nutrition is disturbed. This contributes to the destruction of the cartilage and leads to deforming arthrosis.
Clinical manifestations of hemarthrosis are:
- strong pain;
- an increase in the circumference of the joint (compared to a healthy arm);
- obstruction of movement;
- forced position of the elbow joint - the joint is bent at an angle of 110 - 120 °.
In severe cases of damage to the elbow joint, symptoms persist for several hours, and as a rule, there is an increase in pain.
It is worth noting that it is impossible to independently diagnose itself, without performing X-ray diagnostics and qualified examination of damage by a specialist. Therefore, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
Than to treat a bruise of an elbow joint?
First of all, when providing first aid for the first time, it is necessary to apply cold to the site of the injury to alleviate the condition. This can be an ice pack, products from a freezer, etc. In no case should it be used to treat the contusion of the elbow joint, warming gels and ointments or apply warming compresses.
With a strong contusion of the elbow joint, which is accompanied by a pinched nerve, a fracture or fracture , the treatment is carried out in a stationary mode. In other cases, treatment is outpatient.
The elbow joint is immobilized with a tire or a soft bandage. As a rule, it is recommended to apply compresses with indomethacin ointment to reduce edema and eliminate the inflammatory process with a bruise. It also helps to relieve pain.
In case of damage to the cartilaginous tissue, the elbow joint is punctured along the posterior surface through a gap between the head of the radius arm and the head elevation. In this case, the blood is removed, and the joint cavity is washed with a solution of novocaine. In the future, corticosteroids are prescribed to relieve edema and slow the development of fibroblasts.
The recovery period after injury can last from several weeks to several months. In most cases, the second day after the injury, therapeutic exercise is prescribed. Because in the first week of the elbow joint should be in a stationary state, the hand begins to develop with a brush. Exercises for neighboring joints are introduced gradually. Also in the rehabilitation process it is recommended to conduct physical procedures.
It should be remembered that with improper and untimely treatment of the elbow joint contusion such complications as bursitis , synovitis, deforming arthritis, etc., can develop.