Stretching of the ligaments of the elbow joint: what to do and how to treat

Elongation of the ligaments of the elbow joint is a closed traumatic injury, manifested in the rupture of the ligament fibers.

Most people who do not have medical education believe that the name "ligament sprain" indicates the nature of the changes in their damage. However, this is not so: it reflects the mechanism of damage.

The cause of the latter is the movement in the joint, exceeding its physiological capabilities. Depending on the intensity of the trauma, the following can occur:

• partial violation of the integrity of some individual fibers;
• rupture of collagen fibers - complete interruption of the ligament to the breaking of the ends;
• detachment of the ligament from the place of its attachment to the bone.

In the latter case, together with the ligament, the bone fragment can come off. This type of injury is called a tear fracture.

Blood vessels located next to the injured ligament are also damaged during stretching. There is a hemorrhage in the surrounding tissues, a bruise or bruise is clearly visible at the site of the pathology.

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Causes of elongation of ligaments of the elbow joint

The cause of elongation of the ligaments of the elbow joint is an excessive load, exceeding the elasticity of the tissues of the ligamentous apparatus.

This type of injury is common. There is an isolated stretch that does not belong to the category of severe injuries, and, combined with a dislocation of the joint or fracture of bones.

The most common cause of an isolated trauma is strong physical activity, in which the intensity of muscle contraction is much higher than the development and compaction of ligaments, for example, during training with athletes. In people who do not engage in sports, the cause of such injuries can be a sharp movement in the joint or unsuccessful turns when lifting weights. The risk group also includes people whose professional activities are associated with performing the same type of hand movements, for example, masseurs.

This injury can be caused by a fall or an accident. In this case, the trauma is usually combined with a dislocation of the joint or fracture of the bones that form the joint: the coronoid process of the ulna, the medial epicondyle and the head of the radius.

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Symptoms of elbow sprains

Symptoms of elongation of ligaments of the elbow joint appear immediately. And, if initially they are mildly expressed, then after a few hours, edema develops in the area of trauma, pain intensifies, movements in the joint are limited.

There are three degrees of sprain, each of which characterizes the following symptoms:

• weak pain due to rupture of several fibers, joint mobility is not limited, swelling absent or weakly expressed - first degree stretching;
• severe pain, severe swelling, hemorrhages, severe pain in joint movements - second degree stretching;
• severe pain due to ligament rupture, edema and extensive hyperemia, and subsequent joint instability - third degree stretching.

Doctors distinguish three types of this type of traumatic injury, having their own symptoms:

1. Medial epicondylitis, or "golfer elbow," is characterized by pain from the inside of the elbow joint. The volume of movements in the elbow joint and muscle strength remains normal. The pain becomes stronger during pronation of the forearm or flexion of the wrist with the overcoming of resistance.
2. Epicondylitis, in the people - "elbow tennis player. " During rest, pain is absent, but as soon as movement occurs in the joint (with extension and supination of the forearm), it immediately returns with former strength. Painful sensations are intensified when the hand is compressed into a fist and simultaneously bent in the wrist joint. They usually have an increasing character, and they appear even with a slight strain of muscles, for example, holding an object in your hand. There are no external manifestations with epicondylitis.
3. Medial apophysite, also called the "elbow of a baseball player." This type of injury is manifested in pain on the inside of the elbow and the appearance of swelling. After rest, painful sensations decrease or pass away altogether. However, when the loads resume, they appear again.

Diagnosis of sprain elbow joint

In the initial examination of a patient with the above symptoms, the doctor acts according to the following algorithm:

1. Checks the pulse, examines the injury site for the presence of cyanotic skin coloration (scientific - cyanotic), which indicates insufficient oxygen saturation, slowing blood flow.
2. Assesses the functional capabilities of the injured limb.
3. Checks for swelling.
4. Conducts a survey of the patient in order to find out the circumstances of the trauma.
5. Inspects the patient for other injuries.

After the initial examination, the doctor prescribes studies:

• X-ray, allowing to determine the presence of concomitant injuries - dislocation or fracture;
• magnetic resonance imaging, which makes it possible to determine the amount of damaged bundle fibers, and the extent of their damage.

In addition, he can refer the patient to computed tomography and ultrasound examination of the injured elbow joint.

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Treatment of sprains of the elbow joint

For the treatment of elongated ligament ligaments, properly provided first aid is very important. It includes the following measures: - ensuring the immobility and rest of the injured limb;

• application of a cooling compress (20 minutes several times a day);
• raising the hand to reduce the tumor;
• taking an analgesic to reduce pain.

Elongation of the ligaments of the elbow joint should be treated immediately, during the first 24-48 hours. The patient's hand, as a rule, is fixed with a pressure bandage in the form of a figure eight by an elastic bandage.

The physician can also prescribe physiotherapy measures (ascorbic acid electrophoresis, diadynamic currents) and injections, for example, novocain blockades with the addition of vitamin B12 and analgin.

Restorative stage of treatment includes three periods: immobilization; restoration of movements in the joint, and the period of restoration of joint stability. During the immobilization, isometric exercises of different duration are prescribed, their essence is the tension of the muscles without movement. After removing the bandage, exercises are recommended in light conditions (for example, in water) to relax the surrounding muscles and facilitate the development of the elbow joint. During the restoration of joint stability, exercises are prescribed with a gradual increase in the load on each muscle. With instability of the elbow joint, the effect of gymnastic exercises is enhanced with the help of electrostimulation of the muscles.

At the end of the recovery phase, a second examination is carried out.

When stretching the ligaments of the elbow joint, treatment with alternative means can act as additional measures. The following recipes are known:

• Compress from raw potatoes to eliminate puffiness. For its preparation, it is necessary to grate the raw vegetable finely, then mix the resulting gruel with fresh cabbage in a ratio of 2: 1. Compress is applied to the site of injury and is fixed with a bandage. You need to change it several times a day;
• Compresses from freshly picked up crumpled elderberry leaves. Also they change 2-3 times a day;
• infusion and compresses of wormwood. You will need 30 grams of finely ground wormwood and 100 ml of olive oil: mix them and put them on a water bath. Boil on low heat for two hours. After you need to give the mixture to brew - put it for a day in a warm place. The resulting product lubricate the elbow 3-5 times a day, and put it in the form of a compress for the night.

You can only use these drugs after a medical examination, they can perfectly complement traditional medical methods, but do not completely replace them.

Prophylaxis of elbow joint lengthening

Stretching of the ligaments of the elbow joint can occur in every person. Moderate physical activity helps strengthen the ligaments, but non-observance of reasonable caution during exercise or active rest, always carries the risk of their traumatization. Therefore, sports must pass special shoes and clothes, and with significant loads, it is recommended to wear an elbow bandage, or elbow pads.

Thus, the prevention of sprains is to prevent the permanent overstrain of the corresponding muscle groups, the rational technique of professional and sports movements, the correctness of the working posture, careful selection of professional or sports equipment.

Forecast elongation of ligaments of the elbow joint

Both conservative and surgical treatment of sprains gives good results in most patients. But do not forget that this is quite an insidious disease: the pain can quickly recede, and if the patient immediately returns to the rhythm of life habitual for him, ceases to limit the physical load on the joint, the disease can develop anew and with renewed vigor.

If all the prescriptions of the doctor are fulfilled, timely treatment will be effective and the patient will subsequently be able to lead an active lifestyle. The prognosis for recurrence of pain attacks is usually favorable. However, remember: stretching the ligaments of the elbow joint, the treatment of which usually takes a long time, requires the consolidated efforts of the doctor and the patient.

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