Definition
Epithrocleitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the tendons and related muscles that originate from the epitrochlea of the elbow. This disease is similar to "epicondylitis (or" tennis elbow "), but - compared to the latter - it is a rarer form.
Epithrocleitis is also known as "golfer's elbow", as it is very common among individuals who play this sport.
Causes
Epitrocleitis is generally caused by a functional overload of the tendons and muscles of the elbow. In fact, this pathology mainly affects those subjects who for various reasons - whether they are sporting or working - subject their elbow to an excessive and repeated solicitation.
Symptoms
The main symptom of epithrocleitis is pain in the elbow in the area affected by the inflammation. The pain extends to the flexor muscles of the forearm and can also involve the wrist and hand. Other symptoms that may occur in patients with epithrocleitis are joint pain and stiffness.
The information on Epithrocleitis - Drugs and Treatment of Epithrocleitis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Epithrocleitis - Drugs and Treatment of Epithrocleitis.
Medicines
The drugs most commonly used for the treatment of epithrocleitis are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and analgesics. However, the treatment of epithrocleitis also requires patients to rest and avoid carrying out the activity that triggered it. inflammation. To promote healing, it may be useful to use ice packs to be performed several times a day. Finally, a physiotherapy process can also be undertaken to restore normal mobility of the tendons and muscles affected by inflammation.
In some cases, it may be necessary to resort to corticosteroid injections to be given to the inflamed tendons. While surgical treatment is considered only if conservative therapy proves ineffective in resolving the pathology.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against epithrocleitis and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment.
NSAIDs and Analgesics
NSAIDs are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of epitrocleitis, as they have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
When used for the treatment of this type of disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are usually administered orally (in the form of capsules, tablets, etc.) or topically (in the form of medicated gels, creams or patches).
Some of the active ingredients most used in the treatment of epithrocleitis will be briefly illustrated below. It should be remembered that the information regarding the doses of the drug usually used are given for indicative purposes only and that the exact dosage of the drug should always be established by the doctor. .
- Diclofenac (Dicloreum ®, Deflamat ®, Voltaren Emulgel ®, Flector ®): diclofenac can be administered through different routes. When administered orally, the dose usually used can vary from 75 mg to 150 mg per day, depending on the severity of the inflammation.
If you use diclofenac-based gel, it is recommended to perform 3-4 applications a day, directly on the inflamed area.
If you use the medicated patch based on diclofenac, however, it is recommended to apply a patch in the morning and a patch in the evening, in correspondence with the affected area.
The duration of treatment with diclofenac should usually not exceed 7-10 days. - Aceclofenac (Airtal ®, Gladio ®): the dose of aceclofenac usually used orally is 100 mg, to be taken twice a day during meals, with an interval of 12 hours between one administration and the next.
- Ketoprofen (Arthrosilene ®, Orudis ®, Oki ®, Fastum gel ®, Flexen "Retard" ®, Ketodol ®): when used orally, the daily dose of ketoprofen to be administered is 150-200 mg per day. It is very important not to exceed the maximum dose of 200 mg of active ingredient per day.
If ketoprofen is used in the form of pharmaceutical formulations for skin use, however, it is recommended to apply the product on the affected area 1-3 times a day, or according to medical prescription. To avoid possible photosensitivity reactions, it is important not to expose the treated part to sunlight and / or UV rays, both during the treatment and for a period of at least two weeks after the end of the treatment. - Ibuprofen (Brufen ®, Moment ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ®, Vicks fever and pain ®): when ibuprofen is administered orally, the maximum dose of 1,200-1,800 mg of medication per day The exact dose of active ingredient to be taken must be established by the doctor.
- Naproxen (Momendol ®, Synflex ®, Xenar ®): when naproxen is administered orally, the dose usually used is 500-1,000 mg of drug per day, to be taken in divided doses every 12 hours. If you use the naproxen-based gel or cream, however, it is recommended to perform two applications a day directly on the affected area.
In addition to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the doctor may also decide to prescribe analgesic drugs to relieve the pain caused by epitrocleitis, such as, for example, paracetamol (Tachipirina ®, Efferalgan ®, Panadol ®).
Paracetamol is available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration. When administered orally, the usual dose is 500-1000 mg, to be taken as needed up to 3-4 times a day.
Corticosteroids
For the treatment of some cases of epithrocleitis, the doctor may deem it necessary to resort to the infiltration of corticosteroids, a very delicate practice that must be performed only by specialized personnel. The treatment with corticosteroids, however, is effective above all in the short term and not in the Indeed, repeated injections of steroid drugs could increase the risk of weakening and rupture of the same tendon.
- Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol ®): methylprednisolone is used in combination with lidocaine (a local anesthetic). The usual dose is 4-80 mg of the drug. The exact amount of methylprednisolone to be administered varies according to the severity of the epithrocleitis.
