Periosteum inflammation on the elbow
introduction
Periosteum inflammation (Periostitis) on the elbow mainly affects athletes. The periosteum is a thin layer that envelops every bone in the human body and is used to supply the bone tissue with nutrients.
In addition to blood and lymph vessels, the periosteum also contains nerve tracts, which is why periostitis is extremely painful.
Due to the inflammation, the elbow on the affected side is swollen, red and painful. The periosteum inflammation on the elbow usually heals by itself through physical restraint.
Also read general information about periostitis under: All information about periosteum inflammation.
causes
In most cases, inflammation of the periosteum of the elbow is due to excessive exercise. As a result of the overload, the periosteum is irritated and inflamed. In addition to too intensive training, the causes include incorrect arm positioning or a change in training technique.
The tennis elbow and the golfer's elbow are among the most common forms of periostitis on the elbow that can be traced back to excessive exercise.
In general, monotonous, always the same movements in the elbow joint cause periostitis, which is why not only athletes are affected. Window cleaning, gardening, making music or long computer work with the mouse are also causes of periostitis. In rare cases, an infection, for example due to a previous surgical procedure or a bacterial or disease (e.g. tuberculosis or syphilis), can lead to inflammation of the periosteum.
Sports overload
Sports overload is one of the most common causes of periosteum inflammation on the elbow. Especially in sports such as tennis or golf, the elbow is used a lot and is heavily stressed. But other activities that involve certain, always the same forearm movements, promote periostitis on the elbow.
In order for the inflammation of the periosteum to heal as quickly as possible, it is necessary to take a consistent break in sports and to rest the elbow as much as possible.
Periosteum inflammation does not heal or only heals very slowly without physical rest, and in many cases this can take several months. It is therefore important to consult a doctor at an early stage when the first pain in the elbow occurs and to begin appropriate therapy.
Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the bone skin on the coccyx
Appointment with an elbow expert?
I would be happy to advise you!
Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
As a former performance-oriented tennis player, I specialized early on in the conservative treatment of the elbow.
You can find me in:
- Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
Tennis elbow
A tennis elbow (or tennis elbow) is the slang term for one Lateral humeral epicondylitis. This is an inflammation of the tendon attachment at the bony protrusion of the elbow (epicondylus humeri lateralis) on the side where the thumb is.
Through intensive training or the same sequence of movements from the elbow joint, a certain muscle group on the forearm, the hand extensors, is overstrained. As a result, the muscle attachment on the elbow becomes inflamed and a so-called tennis elbow develops.
But not only tennis players can develop a tennis elbow: Frequent computer work (especially on the "mouse hand"), making music with string instruments or injuries can lead to periosteum inflammation on the elbow.
For detailed information on treatment, see: The therapy of tennis elbow.
Golfer's elbow
The periosteum on the elbow can become inflamed not only on the thumb side, but also on the side of the little finger, at the epicondyle humeri medialis. This clinical picture is called epicondylitis humeri medialis or golfer's elbow (golfer's arm). This is where the muscles that bend the hand (hand flexors or flexors) are put under excessive strain. This causes the smallest injuries at the muscle attachment and the periosteum of the elbow becomes inflamed.
Patients experience pain in the inside of the elbow, which becomes worse when the hand moves (such as grasping, bending, or stretching). In addition to golf, computer work or other regular loads (e.g. doing housework or doing handicrafts) are also causes of a golfer's elbow.
You might also be interested in the following article: The therapy of a golfer's elbow.
These symptoms can be used to identify periosteum inflammation on the elbow
Periosteum inflammation of the elbow causes a number of typical symptoms.
First of all, the affected patients feel pain in the elbow and can no longer fully straighten the joint. Movements of the wrist and fingers are also painful, which results in more or less pronounced restrictions on movement.
As a result, patients adopt a relieving position and no longer fully extend their elbows.
The inflammation may cause the elbow to become swollen, and the skin over the tendon insertion may be hot and red.
Feeling weak and tingling in the forearm or hand can also be due to periosteum inflammation of the elbow.
Pain
Pain is a characteristic symptom of periosteum inflammation on the elbow. The periosteum is very well supplied with blood and contains numerous nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to the central nervous system in the event of inflammation. Often the pain can be alleviated by taking it easy. The doctor may also take pain relievers, usually from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, how Ibuprofen or Diclofenac), which also have anti-inflammatory effects.
If the pain is very severe, special pain therapies such as shock wave therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or cortisone injections can be useful.
diagnosis
If there is pain in the elbow, it is best to consult an orthopedic surgeon. After a detailed discussion, the doctor examines the painful arm and carries out a series of tests that test the range of motion and gripping ability. Based on these results, the doctor can then diagnose periosteum inflammation on the elbow and prescribe appropriate therapy.
In unclear cases, imaging using X-rays, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can also be arranged to confirm the diagnosis.
therapy
The first and most important step in treating periosteum inflammation of the elbow is to immobilize the affected joint. If possible, patients should definitely avoid the trigger of the inflammation (e.g. tennis or computer work) and take physical rest.
The doctor may use anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications, e.g. Ibuprofen or Diclofenac, prescribe. Medicines that cause muscle relaxation can also be used in case of periosteum inflammation.
In addition to relieving the strain, stretching and strengthening the arm muscles is an important treatment step. However, these exercises should only be carried out when there is no longer any acute pain.
Another form of therapy for periostitis is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Electrical impulses are sent to nerve fibers in the elbow via skin electrodes in order to reduce the transmission of pain to the brain.
Injecting local anesthetics directly into the sore elbow can also help relieve the pain.
Another pain-relieving treatment option is extracorporeal shock wave therapy or laser treatment.
In the end, the doctor and the patient decide which therapy makes the most sense on the basis of the individual symptoms. In severe cases, surgery to treat periostitis of the elbow may be necessary.
Read more on the topic: This is how long periosteum inflammation lasts
Home remedies
In the case of periosteum inflammation in the elbow, various home remedies can also relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing process.
In the case of acute inflammation in the elbow, the arm should be cooled, preferably with cold compresses (e.g. quark compresses) or in the form of cooling gels. The cold reduces the swelling and gently relieves the pain.
In the later phase of the disease, when the acute inflammation has subsided, heat treatment is useful. It is best to apply the heat directly to the affected area with a hot water bottle or a warm cherry stone pillow. The warmth improves blood circulation and loosens tense muscles.
Cortisone injection for periosteum inflammation on the elbow
In some cases the doctor decides to give a cortisone injection directly to the affected elbow if the periosteum is inflamed.
Cortisone is a strong anti-inflammatory drug that can be used in many ways. It acts on the immune cells in the body and thereby reduces the active inflammation on the periosteum. As a result, the pain in the elbow also subsides. As a rule, preparations are used with cortisone syringes that mainly have a local effect and do not get into the blood or only in very small quantities. It is therefore relatively safe to use and has few side effects.
Read more under our topic: Cortisone injection
When do you have to operate?
In severe cases, when conservative treatment of periosteum inflammation on the elbow is unsuccessful, the arm must be operated on.
A surgical procedure can be particularly useful in the case of recurring or chronic inflammations that last longer than six months. Before an operation, an X-ray and an MRI of the elbow will be done to see if surgery is indicated.
Tape
Periosteum inflammation on the elbow can also be treated conservatively with kinesio taping. This is a form of therapy in which special elastic tapes are stuck to the skin.
The special type of adhesive tape and the adhesive technique stimulate the muscles in the elbow and at the same time limit mobility in order to protect the inflamed periosteum.
Taping promotes blood circulation in the arm, which allows the inflammation to heal better and relieves pain.
Also read our article: Taping a tennis elbow.
Which ointments help?
Applying ointments and gels can help with inflammation of the periosteum on the elbow. Ointments with anti-inflammatory agents (such as diclofenac e.g. Voltaren gel or Ratiopharm Diclo pain gel) are applied locally to the skin over the affected area. The cream can be combined with a small massage of the elbow in order to loosen the cramped muscles of the forearm.
The ointments soothe the pain and help with healing. In addition, the creams have a beneficial and cooling effect, which reduces the sensation of pain.
Healing time
The healing time of periosteum inflammation on the elbow is highly variable and depends primarily on the intensity of the inflammation, the cause and the degree of physical restraint.
Slight inflammation can subside after one to two weeks if the arm is kept steady, whereas it can take several months for severe symptoms to improve.
It is crucial that the patient strictly adheres to the doctor's therapy guidelines and only slowly reloads the arm gradually.
If the periostitis is not treated properly, the inflammation can become chronic. The complaints last longer than six months.
Read more on the topic: This is how long periosteum inflammation lasts
