Elbow Neuropathy

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Elbow neuropathy

Elbow neuropathy is a fairly common disease that develops when a force is applied to a nerve in the region of the elbow joint. This pathology occurs in people whose work is associated with a constant position of the hands resting on the elbows. These can be working professions, when it is necessary to rely on a tool of labor (machine, workbench), pathology occurs in those who sit at a desk for a long time or have to keep their elbows on the armrest of the chair.

Quite often, some types of typhoid and other dangerous infectious diseases contribute to nerve damage.

The reasons why a nerve is pinched in the elbow joint are classified into two groups. The first includes post-traumatic neuropathy, it develops from various sprains, with a violation of the integrity of the ulnar nerve. This can happen due to a dislocated elbow or a fracture of the olecranon. The second group - compression neuropathy, means compression of the ulnar nerve, occurs with fractures of the inner condyle of the shoulder and in the wrist.

Compression of the nerve trunk can be observed as a result of edema, inflammation of bone structures or tissues. As a rule, such changes occur in rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, changes in cartilage tissues, intrauterine cartilage development disorders, bone deformities in the area of the healed fracture. Symptoms of ulnar nerve neuropathy are manifested by numbness and paresthesia of the little finger and ring fingers, along the ulnar edge of the hand to the wrist. The development of the disease leads to a decrease in the strength in the muscles of the fingers of the leading abduction action.

The fingers of the hand are spread out, the phalanges are bent, the V finger is usually abducted, and the hand resembles a "clawed paw". Atrophy of small hand muscles is noted. In addition to the weakness of the muscles of the hand, patients feel pain along the ulnar nerve, there is a decrease in the volume of muscles between the index and thumb, and there is a feeling of slight tingling on the inner side of the palm. To clarify the diagnosis, when squeezing the hand into a fist, check whether the V, IV and III fingers are bent.

How can you fix the problem?

The presence of ulnar nerve neuropathy is confirmed if, with a hand tightly attached to the table, it is impossible to "scratch" the table with the tip of the little finger or to dilute and connect IV and V fingers in the same position of the hand. For diagnostic purposes, the Tinnel method is used - when tapping the area of the nerve passage, they check whether there is an increase in symptoms. This allows confirmation of a pinched nerve in the elbow joint.

If the ulnar nerve is affected by neuropathy, then the sensitivity is usually reduced or absent and the violation of sensitivity is determined by touching or light pricks of the skin of the hands on both sides. Additionally, X-ray and MRI are performed to identify bone defects, due to which nerve damage in the elbow or hand can also develop. With ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor sees structural changes in the nerve trunk. The disease is indicated by poor conduction of the impulse below the site of nerve damage, this can be detected using the method of electromyography.

The doctor can prescribe both surgical and traditional treatment, it all depends on the reasons that caused the pinching of the ulnar nerve. Conservative treatment is effective in the early stages of the disease. During this period, there is no muscle atrophy, and there is no persistent deformation of the fingers. In order for the treatment to be adequate, patients are encouraged to observe a certain motor regimen.

Patients are prescribed recommendations for reducing stress, prolonged position of the upper limbs in a bent position. It is also advisable to exclude constantly repetitive hand movements. Usually, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain. Also, therapy includes taking drugs that reduce and eliminate swelling of inflamed tissues. B vitamins are useful, they improve metabolism, normalize peripheral blood circulation in the damaged nerve.

In the event that conservative treatment does not give the desired effect, they resort to the help of a surgeon who removes the reason for which the nerve is compressed. If there is a risk of repeated injury to the nerve in the area of the elbow joint, it is transferred to the inner surface of the elbow joint.

If the risk of repeated damage to the nerve in the area of the elbow joint is suspected, it is moved and placed on the inner surface of the elbow joint. Any neurologist will agree that a careful approach to your health is an important part of a successful treatment or a disease-free life.

There are many diseases that may not manifest themselves, but after a while it turns out that it is too difficult to treat them. If every person makes it a rule to be examined by a doctor at least once a year, then it will certainly be possible to maintain a healthy mind in the body and the body as a whole, and in time to identify an impending problem.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".