Tennis elbow
 

My doctor up north said I have tennis elbow. Had it for about two and half months now. Take aleve for the pain and ice it when it gets really painful. He said I probably need to get an injection to help it heal. The problem is he's up in NC and I am down here in The Villages. Anyone know of a sure cure or an orthopedic doctor that will give me an injection without a referral and a humongous bill. Have a large deductible so insurance won't pay. Thanks DG

Tennis elbow
 

Look on Web MD -- it explains tennis elbow; it's the tendon from your hand to your elbow which is ripped. Rest, rest, and more rest, will give it time to heal. I just was at my doctor for the same thing -- get a band (at the local drug store) which will help the arm. She told me that a cortisone shot was a last resort before surgery, as it is extremely painful at the elbow, and not always helpful. Ice/heat and pain medicine, and rest, rest, & more rest ! ! Good luck in your recovery, as it is going to take time.

I've had tennis elbow 3 times - once when I changed tennis rackets. My doctor said you just have to wait it out and I think he was right. During the worst spell I couldn't lift a tea cup. Several of my tennis friends have said the same thing - that you have to wait it out. Would be interested if anyone has experienced an intervention that worked.

A good physical therapist would teach you the exercise described here http://www.drmirkin.com/fitness/8502.html

You can get the TheraBand Flexbar (red) on Amazon for about $12. It comes with instructions for the exercise.

A "sure cure" ....lay off of tennis for a while and take up soccer.

Hey some background, I was a 4.5 - 5.0 club tennis player and I developed tennis elbow a number of times. There is no "sure cure". The real isssue is stopping it before it occurs by getting the proper strokes and if that does not happen ...rest. I tried PT, creams, injections etc. but never worked for me.

In a way you are fortunate, you have tennis elbow, my problem today are knees and I cannot play tennnis or pickelball and miss it alot. So pick your poison!

Is it a result of tennis or the result of some other activity? I developed the condition playing golf....tells you how awful my swing was at that time... ;)

It can take a LONG time to recover, especially if the activity that precipitated the injury is one used in every day living.

A friend had the shots, up to the maximum that could be given over time. She ended up with a surgery for repair because her life didn't allow her the time needed for healing.

Feel better.

when i had tennis elbow - which did not come from playing tennis - my dr suggested the band. when i picked it up at my pharmacy the pharmacist also suggested keeping the arm in a sling as much as possible - told me that the immobilization helps the tendon and arm to rest. the sling was great for reducing stress on the tendon/arm...but i only used it at home. i also had to limit any shopping i was inclined to do because carrying those bags can be painful! ;)

I had tennis elbow two years ago and tried all the standard procedures ie: rest & therapy but the only thing that worked for me was the cortisone shot. It wasn't painful and I haven't had a problem since.

Have had it several times. The band helps but percoset works better.

Thanks for the tips. No magic bullet. Helps to know how others have dealt with it. DG

I had what the Dr. called tennis elbow. I don't play tennis the only thing I could think of that caused it was the way I held my arm with no support when using my computer at work. I did go get a shot in my elbow at the place listed below. It took awhile, but now I'm ok. I can't recommend a certain doctor as the one I used has left the practice. Good luck.



Florida Musculoskeletal Institute
Categories: Health and Medical Doctors Podiatrists Health and Medical Doctors Orthopedists Podiatrists, Orthopedists [Edit]

600 W North Blvd
Leesburg, FL 34748

(352) 728-3000
www.bonesandmuscles.com

Agree with 784Caroline. I had forehand tennis elbow (pain on the inside of the elbow). One of the causes is hitting the ball late. I took some lessons hitting the ball early and it corrected the problem. Never had backhand tennis elbow (pain on the outside of the elbow).

DG
My wife and I both were bothered by tennis elbow years ago. We solved the problem by increase the grip size on the racquets. The larger grip seems to relieve the presure on the elbow by having the radial and ulna ( I think that is what the bones are called) more parallel.
Good luck.

wrist splint
 

Well, my wife works for a hand surgeon so she and I can fill you in somewhat.

I've got it in both elbows and haven't played tennis in about ten years. Comes from repetitious movements of those ligaments. If you flex your hand enough you can get it, if you rotate your hand enough you can get it. I had surgery on my left about three years ago(and need another one) and have needed it on my right for about fifteen years (right hand dominate). My experience is that an "Air Cast" strap (felcro strap with a plastic air bubble) worn about two inches below the elbow keeps the tendons more stable for playing tennis or anytime really. Do not strap over top of your irritated area, it feels good but it'll make it worst! When not using your hand very much, get you a wrist splint that will immobilize the hand. The nice ones have a flat metal plate which fits in your palm and up your arm. You slide your hand in and then velcro strap around your arm. Injections work but my experience just temporarily and masks the problem if you don't change your lifestyle.

So my suggestion before you spend the money on Drs.
1. Get the splint and or air cast first and USE them!
2. Injections and your already purchased splint.
3. Surgery (doesn't always work)

I sincerely hope you get better. I feel your pain. All of these will help you get better, but just expect flair-ups even after surgery.

Good luck

RCM, Good advice, thanks. Watched Soul Surfer last night, girl got her arm bit off by shark, helped put things in perspective. Although I must admit sometimes I just want to cut my arm off with a sawz-all.
DG