Contusion of the elbow

Contusion of the elbow is a concussion of the ulnar tissue, which does not violate their integrity. The contusion of the elbow can be differentiated according to the degree of severity, which in turn directly depends on the force of impact, 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, which 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, the elbow injury is defined in block S50-S59, called "Injury to the elbow and forearm."

Quite often, the bruise of the elbow provokes certain independent damages of the structural parts of the elbow, most often the blow damages multiple components of the elbow joint. The bruise of the elbow can disrupt the integrity of the synovium, it can damage the fibrous capsule, cartilage and even bone tissue.

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Contusion of the elbow in the child

The child's organism is considered more adaptive to contusions and various injuries, but this property is also a kind of minus. If the bruise of the elbow is accompanied by a fracture or a fracture with a displacement, is not diagnosed and treated, the children's bone tissue quickly seizes, violating all norms of congruence. In addition, children are the symbol of the "perpetuum mobile", they are constantly in the activity, falling, striking. Elbows and knees, in addition to traditional cones on the forehead - this is the most "favorite" for the injuries of the child's body. A child's elbow injury, as a rule, is accompanied by severe pain. This is due to the general complex anatomical structure of the elbow joint and its filling with a variety of nerve endings. The child, by virtue of his mobility, can instantly react to pain, but then also quickly switch to a more interesting activity for him. It is not uncommon for doctors to identify the contracture of the elbow joint after many years, developed due to an old, "forgotten", undiagnosed stroke and serious damage. In the ulnar structure involved several important bones and tissue types, which can also be damaged by an elbow injury. This is the humerus, radial and ulna bones, as well as muscular tissue, permeated with blood vessels, through which the blood supply of the hand is carried out. Any, even a minor injury of the elbow in a child, can be accompanied by a strong internal hemorrhage into the joint cavity, which manifests itself only 7-10 days after injury. Therefore, it is advisable to watch the elbow immediately after the injury and ask the child about the state of health.

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Contusion of the elbow: symptoms

The main sign of an elbow injury is severe pain, which is explained by the abundance of nerve endings in the ulnar zone.

The pain accompanies any active movement by hand, the pain can radiate in the forearm.

Pain from the contusion of the ulnar nerve can be given into the fingers of the hand.

Pain often does not go away even when the hand is at rest.

In metochal injury visible puffiness.

At the site of the bruise, a hematoma develops.

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

Severe contusion of the elbow symptoms shows very obvious 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 may develop-the restriction of elbow functions due to scarring of damaged tendons and ankylosis-fusion of the joint structures and complete immobility of the elbow.

Usually these consequences develop in cases of undiagnosed dislocations, ruptures of tendons, cracks and fractures, however, a strong elbow injury can provoke a pathological process.

It is important to differentiate the bruise of the elbow, especially the elbow injury in the child, from sprains, dislocations and fractures. The child is very clearly visible restriction of flexion-extensor movements, he often tries to support the injured arm with a healthy arm, in addition, with fracture of the ulnar bones, puffiness is much stronger than with a simple bruise. If your son or your daughter has hurt your elbow, and swelling and swelling does not occur within two to three days after first aid, the bruise is accompanied by a painful symptom of many days, difficulties in flexing and flexing the elbow, the child should immediately be shown to the surgeon. Such manifestations may indicate the displacement of the ulnar bones, fracture or severe damage to the ulnar nerve. With the help of visual inspection, special motor tests, palpation and X-ray examination, the doctor differentiates the injury and confirms, or excludes fracture or dislocation.

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Bruising of the elbow: what to do?

What should I do if, for example, my daughter has hurt her elbow?

If the bruise of the elbow is not very strong, the child quickly calms down as soon as the pain subsides. In any case, to the bruised place will not prevent to apply a cold compress or ice, it will help reduce pain, a little puffiness and prevent the spread of bruises to nearby tissues. A damaged area can be sick for several days, especially with palpation, but an easy bruise is never accompanied by restrictions on mobility of the elbow joint. Edema and bruising, as a rule, descend in 10-14 days without a trace. Such a trauma does not need treatment, except that the child can simply be comforted and reassured. However, there are situations in which it is necessary to render more serious help, this concerns strong bruises of the elbow joint.

How to treat an elbow injury?

The elbow injury is treated according to a standard treatment regimen of all relatively minor injuries.

• The algorithm is simple:
• Imposition of cold - ice, cold compress on the damaged area.
• Ensuring rest, immobility of the limb.
• Treatment of wounds, if any, on the skin.
• Fixing the damaged area with a sufficiently tight bandaging.
• Application of absorbable ointments two days after the injury.

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

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

Treatment of a strong elbow injury may include the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectors, external application of ointments containing diclofenac, ibuprofen. However, the best treatment, which involves an injury to the elbow, is the prevention of complications and some caution in committing sudden movements and during sports.