Tennis elbow.

[Buster73]

Tried acupuncture , relieved it a bit but not cured.

Time for the injection ?

[rog007]

Or total rest? Try 6 weeks of unbroken rest then come back very slowly. If that fails, see a specialist and an injection may be a solution. Is it from tennis or some other activity?

Good luck!

[E38Ross]

Buster73 said:

Tried acupuncture , relieved it a bit but not cured.

Time for the injection ?

I have a few patients that I treat for this and active release technique as well as general muscle work and wrist extensor exercises generally work really quite well. Where it's a tendon issue it's not an overnight fix, the older you are the slower it'll get better too, and also the longer you've had it, it'll generally take longer too.

Where abouts are you in the UK?

[drdc1971]

Ross is right, steroid injections are no longer thought to be helpful in the long term for tennis elbow and the focus is very much on specific exercises. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d2687
It also takes time and avoiding the provoking activity so no quick fix.

[jr6yam]

Get yourself a powerball; http://www.powerballs.com/
Worked for me

[Hoofy]

jr6yam said:

Get yourself a powerball; http://www.powerballs.com/
Worked for me

Interesting. I will dust mine down as I'm feeling twinges from lifting.

[Buster73]

It was originally from playing tennis but now its from playing golf , but it is still the outside of the elbow which is painful but things like picking up a kettle are painful at the moment.

I live nr Sunderland.

Thanks for the advice.

[Digger]

It seems like tennis elbow has crept into an elbow over the last 3 weeks. Most likely due to continued excessive x-trainer work, and to a lesser degree weights work, although both likely to be exacerbating the issues. Mild pain when gripping with elbow fully extended. Very tender when releasing (using thumb) on the joint/tendon itself.

Going to maintain elbow functionality limiting weights but adding in hot and cold compresses once or twice a day, plus tricep stretching and elbow massage trigger releasing probably once a day.

Its a good excuse to change my training and start swimming again!

If anyone has any treatment hints and tips do chip in.

Edited by Digger on Monday 8th September 17:18

[Hoofy]

Stop doing bicep curls. Seriously, think about the mechanics and why you get pain in that point. You can also get it doing rows (again, think of the mechanics).

Rest works very well. That does mean you can't play tennis for 6 weeks, though.

[E65Ross]

I wouldn't worry too much about stretching the triceps, but focus more on your wrist extensor. Try googling stretches for extensor carpi radialis brevis.

Purely resting will help but the nature of the problem means it'll take a long time to get better. If you're anywhere near Portsmouth/Southampton area let me know if you're interested in cheap treatment and I can sort something out at the clinic where I work.

[Digger]

Hoofy said:

Stop doing bicep curls. Seriously, think about the mechanics and why you get pain in that point.

Believe me, I have thought about it!!? I've only done biceps once in the last three weeks, and that was a single set of 50 reps ez bar with only 5KG added. Obviously I can't completely stop all pull movements but they have been drastically reduced until I see how my elbow improves or otherwise.

[Digger]

E65Ross said:

I wouldn't worry too much about stretching the triceps, but focus more on your wrist extensor. Try googling stretches for extensor carpi radialis brevis.

Purely resting will help but the nature of the problem means it'll take a long time to get better. If you're anywhere near Portsmouth/Southampton area let me know if you're interested in cheap treatment and I can sort something out at the clinic where I work.

Thanks for the google tip Ross. Will have a search later. Also thanks for the treatment offer, but I'll be stuck in London for the foreseeable future. Having said that if things don't improve over the next month or so, I'll get in touch. Thanks again.

[Hoofy]

Digger said:

Believe me, I have thought about it!!? I've only done biceps once in the last three weeks, and that was a single set of 50 reps ez bar with only 5KG added. Obviously I can't completely stop all pull movements but they have been drastically reduced until I see how my elbow improves or otherwise.

It may be a case that you do have to stop pulling. Sometimes I get tennis and sometimes I get golfer's elbow. I just switch between exercises that hit the muscles I'm trying to train. It might be a case that you do barbell rows with a wide grip or revert to dumbbells or some other such variation - or do reverse flies. You'll have to experiment.

[chris watton]

I have started to have pain in my left elbow. I don't think it's the joint, but feels like a tendon.

The exercise that inflicts the worst pain in this area is preacher curls. After the first set and going through the pain, it doesn't hurt as much, but the elbow always feels tender....

Is this a form of 'Tennis elbow', or just a result of exercising too much at the age of 47?

[Hoofy]

Yes, it is. Go lighter for a bit (unless you're already using the pink dumbbells, in which case, just rest).

[chris watton]

Hoofy said:

Yes, it is. Go lighter for a bit (unless you're already using the pink dumbbells, in which case, just rest).

Cheers. I shall lay off the preacher curls for a couple of weeks, then (got up to 12 reps a set using 40kg and curling bar)

[Hoofy]

chris watton said:

Hoofy said:

Yes, it is. Go lighter for a bit (unless you're already using the pink dumbbells, in which case, just rest).

Cheers. I shall lay off the preacher curls for a couple of weeks, then (got up to 12 reps a set using 40kg and curling bar)

You might find that holding a particular angle isn't a problem but moving through some angles puts the biggest strain on the injured part. Something to experiment with perhaps although rest is probably the smartest route unless you want to throw money at a physio.

[chris watton]

Hoofy said:

You might find that holding a particular angle isn't a problem but moving through some angles puts the biggest strain on the injured part. Something to experiment with perhaps although rest is probably the smartest route unless you want to throw money at a physio.

Thanks again. When you say rest, do you mean complete rest, no training at all?

Am only 3 and a half months in and starting to see real results - would be a shame to stop now. However, if continuing means possible permanent damage....

ETA - The elbow hurts when I pick up one of our little sausage dogs - but I can bench press over 100kg! mad!

Edited by chris watton on Tuesday 9th September 14:55

[mad4amanda]

I`ve had this on and off for ten years or so , it started after a fall down some stairs in our cellar I instinctively brought my arms up to protect my face and fell against the wall at the bottom of the steps on the right elbow.
It has come and gone until just before end of our holiday in France this year when I jumped forward to grab a glass my toddler was in the process of knocking over and the pain was incredible and has been fairly constant for a month or so , mine is affecting my life quite a lot with loss of strength in the whole arm making it really painful when lifting our son up for changing or getting in the car , I am also finding it limits the work I can do as I cannot use the heavy cutting tools and extrication equipment even using a screwdriver of hammer is painful .
I am at a loss as I cannot rest it fully as I have to lift and carry my son every day and it hurts so much at night when laying down that I cant sleep.
Going to see our GP next Monday, I was hoping for the injection but reading this it would appear not to be used now?
I take painkillers and Ibuprofen but what else can be done?

[Hoofy]

chris watton said:

Hoofy said:

You might find that holding a particular angle isn't a problem but moving through some angles puts the biggest strain on the injured part. Something to experiment with perhaps although rest is probably the smartest route unless you want to throw money at a physio.

Thanks again. When you say rest, do you mean complete rest, no training at all?

Am only 3 and a half months in and starting to see real results - would be a shame to stop now. However, if continuing means possible permanent damage....

ETA - The elbow hurts when I pick up one of our little sausage dogs - but I can bench press over 100kg! mad!

Edited by chris watton on Tuesday 9th September 14:55

Well, put him down then. NOOOOOO not like that, put the gun down now!

Ah, you probably ramped up the weights too quickly - the muscles were happy to accommodate but the ligaments and tendons take a lot longer to strengthen.

When I say rest, I mean don't do any exercises that aggravate. However, you could experiment with a lighter load... well, lighter than your sausage dog.