Elbow contusion

An elbow contusion is a contusion of the elbow tissues that does not violate their integrity. An elbow contusion can be differentiated by severity, which in turn directly depends on the force of the blow, the height of the fall, and so on.

There are bruises that do not change the basic functions of the elbow joint, but there are also more serious injuries that are accompanied by complications in the form of hemarthrosis or inflammatory processes in the bursa - synovial cavity. According to the international classification of diseases - ICD, elbow bruise is defined in block S50-S59, called "Injuries of the elbow and forearm."

Quite rarely, an elbow contusion provokes separate independent damages of structural parts of the elbow, most often the blow damages multiple components of the elbow joint. An elbow contusion can disrupt the integrity of the synovial membrane, can damage the fibrous capsule, cartilage and even bone tissue.

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Bruised elbow in a child

The child's body is considered more adaptive to contusions and various injuries, but this property is also a kind of minus. If the elbow bruise is accompanied by a crack or a fracture with displacement, is not diagnosed and not treated, the child's bone tissue quickly seizes, violating all the norms of congruence. In addition, children are a symbol of the "perpetual motion machine", they are constantly active, fall, hit. Elbows and knees, in addition to traditional bumps on the forehead, are the most "favorite" areas for injuries in the child's body. A child's elbow bruise is usually accompanied by severe pain. This is due to the general complex anatomical structure of the elbow joint and its filling with many nerve endings. Due to his mobility, a child can instantly react to pain, but then just as quickly switch to an activity that is more interesting for him. It is not uncommon for doctors to discover elbow contracture many years later, which developed due to an old, “forgotten”, undiagnosed blow and serious injury. The elbow structure involves several important bones and tissues that can also be damaged by an elbow contusion. These are the humerus, radius and ulna, as well as muscle tissue penetrated by vessels that supply blood to the arm. Any, even minor, elbow contusion in a child can be accompanied by severe internal bleeding into the joint cavity, which appears only 7-10 days after the injury. Therefore, it is advisable to examine the elbow immediately after the contusion and ask the child about how he feels.

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Elbow Bruise: Symptoms

The main symptom of an elbow contusion is severe pain, which is explained by the abundance of nerve endings in the elbow area.

The pain accompanies any active movement of the arm, the pain can radiate to the forearm.

Pain from a bruised ulnar nerve can radiate to the fingers.

The pain often does not go away even when the arm is at rest.

Swelling is visible at the site of the injury.

A hematoma develops at the site of the injury.

Mobility (flexion and extension) of the elbow is somewhat limited due to swelling and pain.

A severe elbow contusion demonstrates very obvious symptoms and can provoke quite serious complications, including hemarthrosis - accumulation of exudate with blood in the joint cavity, neuritis, paraarticular ossification and even purulent arthritis. Often after a severe contusion, contracture can develop - limitation of elbow functions due to scarring of damaged tendons and ankylosis - fusion of joint structures and complete immobility of the elbow.

Typically, these consequences develop in cases of undiagnosed dislocations, tendon ruptures, cracks and fractures, but a severe elbow bruise can also provoke a pathological process.

It is important to differentiate elbow contusion, especially elbow contusion in a child, from sprains, dislocations and fractures. A child clearly shows a limitation of flexion-extension movements, often he tries to support the injured arm with a healthy hand, in addition, with a fracture of the elbow bones, the swelling is much stronger than with a simple contusion. If your son or daughter has contused an elbow, and the swelling and swelling do not go away within two or three days after first aid, the contusion is accompanied by a multi-day pain symptom, difficulty in bending and unbending the elbow, you should immediately show the child to a surgeon. Such manifestations may indicate displacement of the elbow bones, a fracture or severe damage to the ulnar nerve. Using a visual examination, special motor tests, palpation and X-ray examination, the doctor will differentiate the injury and confirm or exclude a fracture or dislocation.

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Elbow Bruise: What to Do?

What to do if, for example, your daughter hurts her elbow?

If the elbow bruise is not very severe, the child calms down quite quickly as soon as the pain subsides. In any case, it would not hurt to apply a cold compress or ice to the bruised area, this will help reduce pain, relieve swelling a little and prevent the hematoma from spreading to nearby tissues. The damaged area may hurt for several days, especially when palpated, but a slight bruise is never accompanied by restrictions on the mobility of the elbow joint. Swelling and bruising, as a rule, disappear in 10-14 days without a trace. Such an injury does not require treatment, unless the child can simply be consoled and calmed. However, there are situations in which it is necessary to provide more serious assistance, this applies to severe bruises of the elbow joint.

How to treat a bruised elbow?

An elbow bruise is treated according to the standard treatment regimen for all relatively minor bruises.

• The algorithm of actions is simple:
• Applying cold – ice, cold compress to the damaged area.
• Ensuring rest and immobility of the limb.
• Treatment of wounds, if any, on the skin.
• Fixing the damaged area with a fairly tight bandage.
• Application of absorbable ointments two days after the injury.

If an injury has occurred, there is a bruise of the elbow, what to do - this is the question that needs to be answered and acted upon immediately. The above scheme shows that the main thing in the treatment of a bruise is cold and immobilization (immobility) of the joint. Providing rest helps to reduce the load on the damaged joint tissues, the arm with a bruise of the elbow is fixed with a shoulder sling. The first day after a severe bruise, if a fracture or dislocation is not confirmed, cold procedures are indicated. The common opinion about warming up and rubbing the bruise is not only a myth, but also a dangerous misconception that can provoke pathological inflammatory processes in the synovial bag (bursa). Any rubbing should be as correct as possible, moreover, the procedure is more correctly called rubbing, ointment, gel, liquid should be rubbed in with careful movements and only 1-2 days after the injury. Please note that massage and elbow bruise are categorically incompatible.

If the elbow contusion is accompanied by hemorrhage into the joint cavity (hemarthrosis), which does not resolve within 5-7 days, joint puncture is indicated to remove the accumulated exudate. Puncture is performed on the arm bent at the elbow at an angle of 90 degrees under local anesthesia. Blood is aspirated (removed), the joint cavity is washed with an antiseptic and novocaine, then a corticosteroid is injected into the joint, promoting rapid restoration of bone structures and neutralizing inflammation.

Treatment of a severe elbow contusion may include taking anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors, external use of ointments containing diclofenac, ibuprofen. However, the best treatment for an elbow contusion is prevention of complications and some caution when making sudden movements and during sports.