Pain in the arm from the elbow to the hand: how to get rid of it

Pain in the arm from the elbow to the hand is a common phenomenon; it affects not only people who work physically, but also office workers and children. Almost every person has felt periodic pain of a different nature in the arm below the elbow - in the form of mild malaise to severe unpleasant symptoms.

Causes of discomfort

Factors that provoke pain syndrome are associated with:

With intense loads during professional activities involving stereotypical movements. Thus, during monotonous work on a conveyor belt, squeezing a computer mouse, pen or tool for a long time, the median nerve is compressed and the so-called. carpal tunnel syndrome.
With physical overstrain. For example, with intense sports training, muscle pain appears in the right hand, since it is often the working one;
With mechanical injuries (bone fractures, bruises, dislocations, sprains and tears of tendons and muscles, etc.).
With diseases of the musculoskeletal system, inflammatory processes of the joints.
With neurological and vascular diseases and diseases of the spine of the cervical and thoracic spine.
With infection.

A disease such as arthritis of the fingers progresses rapidly and can lead to severe deformation of the fingers and even complete immobility of the hands. Older women are more often susceptible to this form of pathology, and this relationship is explained by hormonal instability and estrogen deficiency.

The risk group also includes those who lead an unhealthy lifestyle and are overweight. Hereditary predisposition also plays a role. It is believed that this is an occupational disease of seamstresses, programmers, and jewelers. Children may suffer from arthritis resulting from infection.

Arthrosis of the elbow (another name is epicondylosis) and hands affects every component of the joint - bone, ligaments, muscles, cartilaginous bags. A characteristic symptom of this disease is a decrease in the amount of synovial fluid, a thick mass that acts as an intra-articular lubricant, a shock absorber, prevents friction on the surfaces of bone ends, ensures mobility of the limb and serves as a nutrient medium for cartilage.

Arthrosis occurs due to injuries received at a young age due to metabolic disorders. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:

pain when turning, bending and straightening;
crunching, which becomes more pronounced over time and in everyday life is mistakenly explained by the deposition of salts;
mobility decreases due to the growth of bone spines;
It is painful for the patient to clench his hand into a fist.

Advanced disease leads to deformities of the affected joints. Older people are more often susceptible to arthrosis; athletes (tennis players, volleyball players, basketball players) and representatives of professions whose activities involve stress on their hands (drivers, musicians) are at risk.

Bursitis is an inflammatory disease of the bursa, a bursa-shaped connective tissue that surrounds a joint. This pathology is provoked by the same factors as arthritis and arthrosis, i.e. it appears as a result of injuries, excessive stress, unfavorable heredity, endocrine diseases, infection or due to hypothermia. It most often affects the elbow rather than the hand.

The occurrence of the inflammatory process with bursitis is accompanied by general weakness, fever, headache, and sometimes nausea. The pain gradually increases, which can be pulsating, cutting, stabbing, burning. Swelling, redness, and a characteristic convex formation under the skin appear, where exudate—liquid that accumulates in the inflamed parts of the body—enters. The acute process is accompanied by suppuration.

In the chronic form, symptoms are limited to swelling in the elbow or on the outside of the palm. Sometimes your hand may ache.

Tendinitis is a fatigue pathology. Intense monotonous loads injure tissues and cause inflammatory-dystrophic changes. Tennis players and golfers develop tendonitis in the elbow area. There is another name for this disease - tennis elbow. In this case, the extensor tendons of the wrist are affected. Pain can spread from the elbow in two directions: up the shoulder area or down the forearm, in the latter case it will be shooting.

With tendonitis (syndrome) of the wrist joint, patients complain of pain in the wrist area and have difficulty holding objects. Pianists, typesetters, and athletes with stress on their hands are susceptible to the disease. This risk group is also characterized by finger tendinitis, which occurs due to injuries such as dislocations and sprains. If the disease is advanced, osteophytes and spines grow at the site of damage.

Anatomy of the human hand: simple and clear. Human hand bones

Hands are a perfect and extremely complex structure that allows a person not only to cope with most tasks, but also to indirectly experience the world around him: touch, touch, evaluate.
What determines the functionality of the hands, what features of anatomy do you need to know in order to maintain their health and be able to develop certain skills? Let's look at the structure of the upper limbs, starting from the shoulder girdle and ending with the phalanges of the fingers.

Anatomy of the human hand: basic components

Anatomically, the hand is the upper limb of the human musculoskeletal system. Like most parts of the body, it is formed by bone and muscle structures, ligaments, cartilage and tendons, as well as a network of blood capillaries and nerve fibers that provide tissue nutrition and impulse transmission, respectively.

For a more detailed study, the anatomy of the hand is usually classified into several key areas:

shoulder girdle;
shoulder;
forearm;
brush.

Each of these zones is sequentially connected to the others through complex joints. It is thanks to this that the arms can remain mobile, maintaining a wide trajectory of movement.

Structure and functions of the shoulder girdle

The shoulder girdle is the transition point from the torso to the upper limbs. It consists of two shoulder blades - right and left - and the same number of clavicles. Thanks to them, the position of the arms relative to the body is supported, as well as their movement along three different axes.

The shoulder blade is a flat, triangular bone located on the side of the back. Its relatively small thickness increases towards the lateral edge, where the articulation with the head of the humerus is located. The glenoid cavity, surrounded by tubercles, supports the humerus and allows for circular movements of the arms.

The scapula itself is slightly curved outward in the direction from the costal arches. On its outer side there is a key bone axis, on both sides of which powerful supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle fibers are attached. The remaining muscle groups, as well as the ligaments that support the shoulder, are attached to the forward-facing coracoid process.

Another bone of the shoulder girdle - the collarbone - is tubular and has a slightly curved S-shape. It is located horizontally and slightly inclined downwards in the neck area. The collarbones serve as a connecting link between the sternum and shoulder blades, and also support the muscular frame of the shoulder girdle.

Anatomy of the bones and muscles of the arm in the shoulder area

The shoulder is the upper part of the arm connected directly to the torso. At the elbow joint it passes into another area - the forearm. The shoulder consists of a large tubular bone, the shape of which varies depending on the zone: if closer to the shoulder blade, the section of the humerus has an almost perfectly rounded shape, then closer to the forearm it resembles more of a triangle with rounded corners.

The shoulder bears the majority of the physical load during work, so its muscular system is represented by strong, durable and powerful muscles that are easily amenable to physical development and improvement. The main part of the fibers surrounds the humerus, located parallel to the vertical axis.

The skin in this area is relatively thin, so in physically developed, muscular people, the attachment points and the main bends of the muscles stand out noticeably.

It is believed that the volume and relief of the forearm is directly proportional to a person’s strength, but this is not entirely correct: the basis of physical strength is not the size of the muscles, but their training, the ability to quickly contract and relax when exposed to high loads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9FxeapW_44

The functions of the shoulder are varied and include almost the full range of movements of the arm. To understand how this system functions, let's look at the anatomy of the key muscles that carry out certain actions.

Biceps

The biceps is the biceps brachii muscle, both heads of which tightly cover the upper part of the humerus. The two heads of the biceps - short and long - begin in the region of the shoulder joint, and approximately in the middle of the humerus they intertwine together, descending to a round eminence on the forearm.

By contracting and relaxing the muscle fibers that make up the biceps, a person can do the following:

move your palms up, rotate and straighten them;
flex your shoulder;
raise your arms forward and up, including with a load.

Triceps

The triceps, or triceps brachii muscle, consists of three heads of varying lengths that cover the elbow and part of the shoulder joints on the back of the arm.

The medial and lateral fusiform heads of the triceps originate in the area of the humerus, and the long one is attached to the protrusion of the scapula.

They, like the heads of the biceps, merge into one system in the lower part of the shoulder, forming a tendon attached to the olecranon process of the forearm bone.

The functions of the triceps are as follows:

straightening the arm parallel to the vertical axis of the body;
bringing the hand to a position near the body.

Brachialis muscle

This muscle is located directly under the biceps and comes to the surface of the muscular skeleton only at the point of attachment in the lower segment of the humerus. It is not as powerful as the biceps, but it also plays a key role in the physiological capabilities of the arm - thanks to its rhythmic contractions, a person can lift the ulna and flex the forearm.

Brachioradialis muscle

As the name suggests, this group of muscle fibers connects the shoulder and elbow joints, running along the entire length of the humerus. Its main function is to bend the arm at the elbow during contraction. You can notice this muscle on the surface of the ulnar fossa - its ridge protrudes especially clearly when lifting weights.

Anatomy of the forearm

The area of the upper limb starting at the elbow and ending at the wrist is called the forearm. It is formed by two bones of different diameters - the radius and the ulna.

The section of the ulna has a triangular shape with a thickening at the upper end, at the point of articulation with the humerus.

In front of the elbow joint there is a small trochlear notch that limits elbow extension, preventing unphysiological hyperextension of the muscles of the forearm and shoulder.

The radius, on the contrary, thickens downward, at the carpal joint. They are connected to the ulna bone movably, thanks to which the hand can rotate up to 180 degrees.

In its normal state, the forearm has a flattened shape with a noticeable expansion upward.

This configuration is due to the specific location of the muscle tissue: closer to the elbow joint there are massive muscle bellies, which narrow and turn into tendons in the wrist area.

Thanks to this, the volume of the lower part of the forearm can be used to judge how developed the bone structure of the hand is - thin carpal zones are characteristic of people with anatomically weak bones, and vice versa.

The muscles of the forearm are divided into 3 key groups. At the front are the fibers that control flexion and extension of the wrist and fingers, at the back are the extensor muscles, and at the side are the group responsible for the movement of the opposable thumb.

Human hand bones: hand anatomy

The hand is one of the most anatomically complex areas of the hand. Conventionally, it can be divided into 3 functional zones:

The wrist is the distal part of the hand, formed by the carpal, metacarpal bones and phalanges. It includes 8 small spongy bones arranged in 2 rows. Their small size and soft articulation allow you to develop hand motor skills, honing the skills of more delicate work.
The metacarpus includes 5 short tubular bones connecting the wrist and fingers (one bone goes to each finger).
The fingers consist of phalanges of varying lengths. The thumb is formed by only two phalanges - proximal and distal; the remaining fingers also have a third phalanx - the middle one. The longer the fingers, the thinner and longer their phalanges will be.

The complex structure of the muscle fibers of the hand, with the assistance of the forearm muscles, provides a full range of finger movements. Visually, these muscles are difficult to train: unlike the biceps, triceps and other large groups of fibers, they do not protrude above the surface of the arm and do not increase in volume.

Nevertheless, these muscles are easy to develop: it has been proven that with regular work related to fine motor skills, the fingers become more accurate and mobile, and with constant physical activity aimed exclusively at the forearm and shoulder, the hand muscles, on the contrary, atrophy.

Post Scriptum

The capabilities of human hands are enormous. Hundreds of nerve endings crowning the hands on the palms, abilities and meticulously honed motor skills.

However, more “rough” work is impossible without the participation of human hands, because strong muscles allow a person to lift and move weight, in some cases exceeding his own.

With their help, a person can experience the world around him through one of the significant senses - touch. By developing these skills, you can significantly expand your own capabilities, but this process is impossible without knowledge and understanding of the anatomy of the hands.

Source: https://www.oum.ru/literature/anatomiya-cheloveka/anatomiya-ruki-vzaimosvyaz-stroeniya-i-funktsiy/

Who to contact and how to treat

To determine the disease and choose the right treatment, you need to visit a specialist (orthopedist, rheumatologist, surgeon) and, if necessary, undergo additional consultation with a cardiologist and neurologist.

The doctor will order an examination, including tests, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound, and prescribe appropriate therapy.

For arthritis, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs and drugs that strengthen the immune system are prescribed. Physiotherapy, such as electrophoresis with anti-inflammatory drugs, is also necessary. After the inflammation is relieved, physical therapy and massage are prescribed to restore mobility. A protein diet is recommended.

In the case of arthrosis, the main task is to normalize the cartilage tissue. For this purpose, chondroprotectors are prescribed, which include hyaluronic acid. If necessary, painkillers are recommended. Treatment includes physiotherapeutic procedures and special gymnastics. The use of traditional methods is not prohibited.

In severe cases, with complete destruction of cartilage tissue, surgical intervention is used - endoprosthetics.

The disease is difficult to treat. The main thing is to prevent exacerbations and do not forget about constant supportive treatment.

When treating bursitis, complex anti-inflammatory therapy is used. This disease is cured in 2-3 weeks, sometimes it goes away on its own. In difficult cases with suppuration, surgery is performed.

If tendonitis is diagnosed, the affected limb is immobilized, then medications, physical therapy, and therapeutic exercises are prescribed.

What is the distance from the hand to the elbow called?

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Causes of pain in the arm from shoulder to elbow

There can be many reasons for pain in the left or right hand. All of them can be divided into groups according to the etiology of the disease:

pain caused by diseases of the spinal column. These may be cervical osteochondrosis, spondylosis in the neck, intervertebral hernia;
joint diseases - tendonitis, bursitis, adhesive capsulitis, periarthritis;

systemic diseases associated with genetic pathologies of joints, pathological processes in bones (osteoporosis) or the development of cancer cells;
neurological diseases - paralysis, neuropathy;
damage to internal organs, such as radiculitis, liver pathologies, angina pectoris, heart attacks.
injuries.

Injuries

The most common cause is shoulder injuries resulting from either a bad fall or a blow. This most often affects athletes whose shoulder loads are significantly increased.

If the right or left arm is injured, the humerus may become displaced. If the tendon ruptures, the shoulder can be completely disabled.

In older age, the causes of shoulder injuries are calcium metabolism disorders and wear and tear of bone and muscle tissue.

Please note: the joints of the left shoulder suffer the most in injuries, since the muscles on them are weaker (correspondingly, in left-handed people - the right one).

Treatment

For shoulder injuries, even minor ones, it is imperative to undergo a course of treatment. Provide rest to the injured joint and, if necessary, maintain health with medication. A careless attitude towards the condition of the shoulder joint can backfire at a more mature age, when tissue restoration occurs more slowly than in youth.

Capsulitis

“Frozen” shoulder is a syndrome in which the muscles of the shoulder girdle cease to perform their functions - they seem to be “frozen.” This leads to a sharp limitation of the mobility of the shoulder joint - moving the arms up and to the side is practically impossible, and placing the arm behind the back is also impossible. Pain occurs during movement.

Diabetics and older people are prone to developing capsulitis. Moreover, for women this probability is much higher than for men. The pain usually occurs on the non-dominant arm and radiates to the elbow.

With capsulitis, the size of the capsule surrounding the joint is significantly reduced, adhesive changes develop in nearby tissues, which causes pain from the shoulder to the elbow.

What to do

When the first symptoms of pain appear in the arm above the elbow to the shoulder and even the slightest limitation of mobility, it is necessary to undergo treatment.

At the very beginning, conservative treatment methods based on taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy are sufficient.

If left untreated, capsulitis can lead to complete loss of motion in the shoulder joint. In the future, the disease can only be treated surgically.

Tendinitis

This disease is associated with inflammation in the biceps tendons. As a rule, it develops against the background of performing similar movements of the shoulder joint. Usually, about such pain they say “I overworked my hand.” Tendonitis is characterized by severe pain in the shoulder area, which can spread to the elbow, redness of the skin and swelling of the affected joint. The skin at the site of inflammation is hyperemic.

At risk are:

women during menopause, when, against the background of hormonal changes in the body, diseases of the joints and the entire musculoskeletal system develop. For men, this is less common and appears over the age of 40;
builders;
professional athletes.

In addition to heavy physical activity, tendinitis causes the deposition of calcium salts in the tendons.

What to do

The first thing they do for tendonitis is to provide complete rest to the inflamed joint. To do this, apply a bandage, bandage or splint to the space from the elbow to the shoulder. The intensity of physical activity is greatly reduced.

Further treatment is based on taking anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs; if necessary, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics (for infectious tendonitis).

Physiotherapy, and subsequently physical therapy, will help restore joint function.

It should be remembered that treatment of shoulder tendinitis is a rather lengthy process and can take from several weeks to several months.

Humeroscapular periarthritis

Characteristic signs are shooting, aching pain in the shoulder joint. Acute pain is associated with an inflammatory process in tendon ligaments and periarticular tissues. As a rule, only the dominant hand gets sick. The pain from the elbow radiates into the space between the shoulder blades, even the slightest movement causes an attack.

If glenohumeral periarthritis is not treated, the pain will become boring and joint mobility will worsen.

This disease is characterized by numbness of the fingers. As the disease progresses, neurological signs are also added - deterioration of basic reflexes, loss of sensitivity.

Treatment

First of all, you need to see a doctor. Humeral periarthritis should not be treated on its own. This disease is treated by a rheumatologist or neurologist. For glenohumeral periarthritis, traditional treatment is prescribed - a course of anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs, physical therapy, exercise therapy. The main thing is not to delay contacting a doctor, then the treatment will be quite quick and successful.

Prevention

Prevention of joint and tendon diseases includes giving up bad habits. Smoking has an extremely negative effect on tissue. You should stick to a healthy diet and avoid excess weight. Gymnastics, limb stretching, and walks in the fresh air are recommended.

Vitamins C and E are useful. The diet includes foods containing antioxidants. Among them are bran, nuts, vegetables, fruits, berries, and legumes. Excellent helpers in restoring cartilage tissue are pectin, which is abundant, for example, in apples, and gelatin. Your daily diet includes fatty acids such as linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids found in vegetable oils.