A bump on the elbow: what could it be?

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

A lump under the skin in the elbow area may indicate several medical conditions. The diagnosis is made on the basis of factors preceding the formation of a lump, its nature, localization, the presence of other symptoms (eg pain). After the diagnosis is made, appropriate therapy is prescribed.

What can it be and how to treat a bump on the elbow?

Fat, or lipoma, is a lump under the skin. Basically, it is round and small, but there are pathologies and significant sizes - up to 10 cm in diameter. This wen is a benign tumor from adipose tissue

He is mobile and does not cause pain. However, a large lipoma can compress surrounding tissues and nerve endings, causing moderate pain. Fats tend to grow, so sometimes they need to be surgically removed.

If a painless soft bump appears on the elbow and the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis, then the only method of treatment is surgery. Conservative therapy in the presence of a lipoma is absolutely ineffective.

Atheroma is a hard, ball-like lump at the crease of the elbow or other part of a limb. It is usually painless. Mostly atheromas are formed on the head, neck, back and on the inner surface of the armpits, but their appearance on other parts of the body is not excluded. In the absence of discomfort, patients rarely see a doctor

An infection of the neoplasm causes a visit to the doctor. In such a situation, severe pain occurs, and an increase in size may be observed. The inflammation is sometimes accompanied by an increase in body temperature. In the presence of such a pathology, an operation must be performed.

Hematoma is a consequence of trauma. The blow entails rupture of small blood vessels, as a result of which the blood penetrates into soft tissues and forms a cyanotic tumor-like seal. The size and shape of hematomas varies considerably (from 1-2 to 15-20 cm and more). The hematoma may be round or irregular. The color of the neoplasm also ranges from reddish to black. The hematoma is very painful

Sometimes there is a local increase in temperature, limitation of the functions of the affected limb in case of damage to the arm / leg. It is the last symptom that is the main difference between a hematoma and a banal bruise. Treatment, as a rule, is carried out surgically: the hematoma is punctured, its contents are pumped out, and infection is prevented.

A bump on the elbow can appear with some medical procedures, for example, intensive lymphatic drainage. The enlargement of the lymph nodes is caused by excessive intensity and errors in the procedure for performing the procedure.

A bump on the bend of the elbow from the inside and outside

1. Hygroma is a seal that is most often localized in the area of the wrist joint, but it also happens on the elbow. Usually its appearance is associated with the structure of the joint on the arm. Usually hygroma does not provoke pain, but with an increase in size, it occurs during movement. Conservative methods of treating hygroma are ineffective. The operation is the only correct solution. It is worth noting that if a hygroma appears, then it is removed right up to the joint itself, otherwise it may form again;
2. Lymphadenitis is an inflammation of the lymph nodes. The latter can be of different sizes, but are almost always painful. Usually this disease is secondary, that is, it occurs against the background of inflammation of other tissues and organs, for example, with a boil, phlegmon, hydradenitis, infectious processes, etc. Treatment is aimed at sanitizing the site of infection or inflammation.

What if there was an elbow blow and a bump formed on it?

• If the damage is severe enough, pain is present, fissure, bone displacement, or pinched nerve can be suspected. In such a situation, hospitalization is required. If a lump has formed, in no case are various local warming agents used. Traditionally, cold is applied to a bruise: a bottle of cold water, an ice pack, a piece of ice wrapped in a cloth. You can use ointments like "Rescuer".
• If after the impact the consequences are less serious, the first step is to ensure the rest of the affected limb. However, a visit to a doctor should also be mandatory. He may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For diagnostic purposes, a puncture biopsy can be performed. Physical therapy helps to speed up the healing process.

A lump on the arm under the skin above or below the elbow: bursitis

The appearance of the seal is always contributing to some reason. Usually the latter is hidden in trauma, impact or injury, less often - as a result of allergies, metabolic disorders, due to infection.

Inflammation of the bursa in medicine is called ulnar bursitis. This disease is often seen in drivers as well as athletes.

In some cases, bursitis occurs as a secondary pathology with gout, tuberculosis or gonorrhea. Therefore, in case of pain above the elbow, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist for a diagnosis. The doctor will be able to carry out a differential diagnosis of arthritis, since these two diseases have similar symptoms.

Treatment:

To treat bursitis, they begin by eliminating the cause of its appearance. It should be noted that, as with any other pathology, the earlier therapy is started, the better for the patient. At the initial stage, you can limit yourself to conservative methods, and with a protracted and severe course of the disease, surgical intervention is required.

In addition to the lump, bursitis of the elbow is characterized by a local increase in temperature. In acute inflammation, there is a strong pain syndrome, and in chronic inflammation, the induration looks like a scar.

1. In an acute inflammatory process of the limb, rest is required. A pressure bandage is applied to the hand, warming compresses are made, if the presence of pus is excluded. Fixing bandages are also needed. Treatment for bursitis after injury involves injections of hydrocortisone to relieve pain.
2. With chronic inflammation, surgical intervention is required: a soft lump is opened, cleared of inflammatory effusion, washed with an antibiotic or antiseptic. Purulent bursitis is treated in a similar way, but a puncture is recommended first. If the procedure is ineffective, the bursa is opened and the pus removed. The doctor can also remove the lump through extirpation.
3. Therapy is mainly aimed at removing the neoplasm. For this, UHF, dry heat and other procedures, radiography and radiation therapy can be used. Such treatment allows you to stop pain syndrome, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and quickly restore damaged tissues.

I wish you health and wellness!