Signs & Symptoms of a Torn Flexor Muscle Mass
Flexor mass muscles are found in the forearm. This group of muscles that enable you to grip objects, throw a ball and flex and extend your hand at the wrist. If you've injured your flexor mass muscles, you'll notice a number of signs and symptoms.
Flexor mass muscles are found in the forearm. This group of muscles that enable you to grip objects, throw a ball and flex and extend your hand at the wrist. If you've injured your flexor mass muscles, you'll notice a number of signs and symptoms. If you believe you've injured your elbow or flexor mass muscles in any way, talk to your doctor about treatment and therapy options for restoration of function.
Definition
The flexor mass muscles are also known as the lateral and medial epicondyle muscles. This muscle mass extends from the elbow down the forearm to ligaments and tendons at the wrist joint. The medial and lateral epicondyle muscles enable you to flex your arm at the elbow, as well as rotate, flex and pronate your wrist. Torn flexor mass muscles are not that common in adults, according to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. However, this injury is sometimes seen in baseball pitchers and other athletes.
Swelling
Swelling or inflammation of the tendons that attach the flexor mass muscles to the elbow joint is called epicondylitis. Inflammation or pain and swelling are caused by very small tears in the tendon where it attaches to the prominences located just above the elbow joint. A sensation of heat or a burning sensation is often felt in the area of the elbow.
Pain
If you've experienced a torn flexor mass muscle, you'll likely feel some pain, especially if you try to grip something with your fingers. Localized pain in the area just below the elbow joint might worsen with wrist rotation. You may also feel sharp, stabbing pain if you attempt to flex your wrist or apply pressure with your hand to some object. It may be extremely difficult to flex the arm upward at the elbow or to fully extend the arm with a torn or injured flexor muscle mass tendon tear or injury.
Tenderness
Slight pressure against the upper head of the flexor mass muscle group where it attaches to the elbow joint may cause soreness or tenderness. Bruising may or may not be present. Tenderness in an area on the lower end of the lateral epicondyle is thought to indicate some nerve involvement.
Numbness
Pressure or inflammation in the injured regions of the elbow joint may compress the radial nerve, causing a sensation of numbness or actual weakness in the arm and hand, affecting gripping, holding objects and finger movement, wrist flexion and extension, as well as causing a tingling sensation when attempting such movements.