Elbow Injuries: Symptoms, Types and Self-Care
Elbow Injuries: Symptoms, Types and Self-Care
Chaffing on-air, falling off stairs, and tripping over nothing adventurous take real skills, do you possess them? If yes! You must put an end to your running family jokes of tripping over flat surfaces. If at first, you didn't succeed, then skydiving isn't for you.
You are doing nothing different, this is what our family taught us that whatever you do, always give 100%, unless you are donating your blood. But, things become different when it comes to repeated stress overhead movement (a frequent motion involves throwing).
The structure of your body relies heavily on the performance of your elbows. Elbows carry out many pieces of work in the career of life: every time you hug someone, lift something, drink coffee, or throw a ball, you make use of the below joint.
A simple synovial hinge-type joint, the elbow is responsible for the communication between humerus, ulna, and radius, three of the powerful bones in the arm with 0 to 150 degrees of range of fluctuation.
To make your arm move even for microseconds, you require the elbow along with the bones, ligaments, cartilage, and fluid as well. If any of these muscles are damaged from repetitive stress, or guiding injuries, it's time to visit a doctor.
WEARING AN ELBOW INJURY: SYMPTOMS
Depending upon the trouble moving your hand, elbow injuries can be minor or major, although elbow injuries heal on their own without any further complications. Symptoms involve:
● Inflammation & Swelling.
● Tingling (paresthesia).
● Severe pain.
● Weakness.
● Numbness.
● Reduced range of motion.
HOW DO ELBOW INJURIES TAKE PLACE?
Injuries are the backside of all sports activities. Repetitive strain and inappropriate use of the elbow contribute to a huge extent of overusing these proportions of the arm. Over time, the muscles involved in the activity become aggressive thus worsening, producing inflammation and injuries.
Sporting: The result of lack of movement and crookedness turns out from dislocations or fractures. A significant number of elbow injuries are suffered by sports players of tennis, golf, fast bowling, weight-lifting, squash, swimming, football, racquetball, and others who apply extremely high degrees of force.
Excessive use at Work: Not merely sports, but elbow strains can also be a consequence of overusing the elbow at work. As elbow injuries are not bound to any specific domain, it is a result of repeated motions at any kind of excessive work. Hence includes:
● Industrial work (or labour work).
● Plumbing.
● Knief work and cooking.
● Typing or office work (mousing).
● Home or Building renovations.
● Automobile repair.
Other Activities: Everyone has hobbies, everyone likes to pursue them as it’s the most lovable thing to do. But, have you ever thought this might cost you to damage your elbow? In some cases, it does.
● Playing Guitar and bass.
● Shovelling snow.
● House cleaning and scrubbing.
● Yard Work.
● Cleaning the house.
● Digging or raking.
Types Of Elbow Injuries: Elbow injuries are generally an outside blow or an inside arrogance of muscles that are generally discriminated against in three categories: nerve injury, soft tissue injury (ligaments & tendons), and bone injury (fractures). Below described are the most repeated elbow injuries examined by surgeons and orthopedists:
Tennis Elbow: Comprehensively, you don't need to be a tennis player to suffer a tennis elbow. It (tennis elbow) or lateral epicondylitis (medical term) is a category of tendonitis or tendinitis that limits the use of antibrachium (or forearm) that affects the tendons.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL): When sportsmen or athletes throw the ball at repeatedly excessive speeds, the continual stress develops over time thus welcoming a wide span of elbow damage. Sports hunters of baseball and javelin are more suitable to fall into the trap of UCL.
Olecranon Stress Fracture: It's a state of weakness for your muscles, as over time, they become unable to manage the mechanical force exerted on them. They tend to transfer this repetitive stress to the bone, inviting small cracks. Baseball pitchers are more likely to suffer these painful fractures beneath their elbow.
Valgus Extension Overload (VEO): This is a susceptible injury that transpires when the upper arm is rubbed against the bony prominence (areas that are close to the skin surface). If ignored for a long time, rubbing can stimulate the bones to develop spurs that simultaneously lessen normal degrees of motion.
Ulnar Neuritis: Have you ever been in a situation when your elbow was unintentionally stricken by something and left you with an electric shock feeling? This usually happens, right? This is when the ulnar nerve drifts from its original place, or overstrained, or irritated. Moreover, it leaves the arm with a feeling of numbness, pain and tingling.
Elbow Injury Self- Care Therapy:
Elbow injuries mostly heal themselves in less time. It is not always necessary to see a doctor unless the pain is severe. You can take care of yourself and treat yourself at home with:
● RICE Therapy: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
● Ingesting anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen & naproxen) and non-steroidal.
● Giving support to the elbow (wrapping or bracing).
● Adjusting your equipment (comfortable sitting at the workplace).
If your pain is unbearable; if you are not able to shake your hand or type something with your fingers, visit an orthopedist as soon as possible.
Dr Rakesh Mohan of 1Health Medical Center is an expert orthopedic surgeon who can be consulted for Elbow Injuries.
For booking an appointment, please call on 1Health's contact number.