Tendinitis in elbows

[mattscott]

Does anybody have a cure for tennis elbow? Its so bad it starting to go up to my shoulder on one side of my arm.

[wellbuilt]

I had BAD T-elbow (mine was specifcally epicondilitis). I had several cortisone shots. Then I had surgery. The surgery worked. What I found out afterwards was that if I had been to a good physical therapist they could have rehabed my elbow AND shown me how to better use my right arm to avoid further injury--without surgery. The surgery was great. I've had no probs since then ALTHOUGH I have talked with a couple of people who lost some range of motion.

Stewart

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by wellbuilt

I had BAD T-elbow (mine was specifcally epicondilitis). I had several cortisone shots. Then I had surgery. The surgery worked. What I found out afterwards was that if I had been to a good physical therapist they could have rehabed my elbow AND shown me how to better use my right arm to avoid further injury--without surgery. The surgery was great. I've had no probs since then ALTHOUGH I have talked with a couple of people who lost some range of motion.

Stewart

Thanks man, i am really starting to freak because it hurts to much sometimes to lift. Matt

[BIG GUNNS]

Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis) is a tear in the tendons caused by accessive strain on the muscles of the forearm.If you can allow it 2-3 weeks it will heal in back solid no problems or pain.But since your still lifting .If it gets cut or ripped open every 3 or 4 days it becomes inflamed.A true tendon slides in a sheath and is in synovail fluid the same in a bursa sac.The forearm muscles have none of these.The older you are the slower the healing.Ive had tennis elbow many times and have healed 100% everytime.I just had to stop doing what was aggravating it ice it and use heat and take an anti inflammatory.I also had to buy a tight elbow wrap to support and compress it during workouts since I never stopped training when I had it.

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by BIG GUNNS

Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis) is a tear in the tendons caused by accessive strain on the muscles of the forearm.If you can allow it 2-3 weeks it will heal in back solid no problems or pain.But since your still lifting .If it gets cut or ripped open every 3 or 4 days it becomes inflamed.A true tendon slides in a sheath and is in synovail fluid the same in a bursa sac.The forearm muscles have none of these.The older you are the slower the healing.Ive had tennis elbow many times and have healed 100% everytime.I just had to stop doing what was aggravating it ice it and use heat and take an anti inflammatory.I also had to buy a tight elbow wrap to support and compress it during workouts since I never stopped training when I had it.

Thanks i will do that.

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by BIG GUNNS

Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis) is a tear in the tendons caused by accessive strain on the muscles of the forearm.If you can allow it 2-3 weeks it will heal in back solid no problems or pain.But since your still lifting .If it gets cut or ripped open every 3 or 4 days it becomes inflamed.A true tendon slides in a sheath and is in synovail fluid the same in a bursa sac.The forearm muscles have none of these.The older you are the slower the healing.Ive had tennis elbow many times and have healed 100% everytime.I just had to stop doing what was aggravating it ice it and use heat and take an anti inflammatory.I also had to buy a tight elbow wrap to support and compress it during workouts since I never stopped training when I had it.

Thanks i will do that.

[Fresch]

I have found that in 95% of cases of tendonitis, there is a problem with the neck and nerve impingement that has caused the problem to occur.

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by Fresch

I have found that in 95% of cases of tendonitis, there is a problem with the neck and nerve impingement that has caused the problem to occur.

I actually have a bad neck and shoulder right now as well. What do i do???

[shindawg]

my tennis elbow lasted over 3 months... im thinking it mighta been a little worse a case or something else all together tho..

[inkcreep]

I suffered with it bad in both elbows and shoulders for a long time, tried Cortisone shots ice, heat, massage .... the whole nine yards. The only thing that helped me Quickly and permanently was ultrasound treatments from my Chiropractor . It amazing, it healed me and I have never had problems again. Even when I get any kind of injury I have him do the ultrasound on it. Its almost like a miracle , Im surprised more people don't talk about it.

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by inkcreep

I suffered with it bad in both elbows and shoulders for a long time, tried Cortisone shots ice, heat, massage .... the whole nine yards. The only thing that helped me Quickly and permanently was ultrasound treatments from my Chiropractor . It amazing, it healed me and I have never had problems again. Even when I get any kind of injury I have him do the ultrasound on it. Its almost like a miracle , Im surprised more people don't talk about it.

Man thanks i will really try it.

[Beezy33]

I'm in the very last stages of my first case of "lateral epicondylitis" on my left elbow. Been out of the gym since the beg. of August and damn what a dragging process it has been! The best thing I did was to get out of the gym completely to take care of it. I didn't even want to be there to do legs or light cardio because I knew that I'd eventually go over to the weights.

I have been seeing a PT over the last 10 weeks or so, first doing good stretching, massage, and ultrasound. I agree with the others on here that the ultrasound did my elbow very good. My dr. released me after about 5 weeks, but I wanted to continue the therapy that was recommended by my PT. I have been strengthening the elbow in their "gym clinic" twice a week and it has helped slowly, but tremendously. I usually do very light bicep curls, wrist curls, over-the-head tricep extensions, and lateral pulldowns.

This process sucks to say the least, but I feel great now and I didn't want to go the route of cortisone shots or surgery. If this happens again, I may go that route, but until then, I am going to ease back into the gym starting at the beg. of January. I hope that I can do all of the bicep/tricep exercises that I could before this happened. My body responds very well to weight training, so my gains increase very quickly, except for bench. So not worried too much there.

My serious recommendation is to get out of the gym and get it taken care of immediately. It was a very tough decision, but I knew it was the best for long-term. The longer you stay in the gym to try and correct, the longer it'll take to heal. Even if you can workout 75% of the time without the constant pain, you're still not healing it. This isn't like a bruise that heals quickly, or soreness after working out that goes away because you're tearing muscles for growth. Taking anti-inflammatories will help, but just prolongs the inevitable. This is a very serious injury, and if done right by listening to your PT, can be healed within 2-3 months.

Best of luck to you and your healing process!

[pyrolee]

Originally Posted by Fresch

I have found that in 95% of cases of tendonitis, there is a problem with the neck and nerve impingement that has caused the problem to occur.

Would like to hear more about this! I have a mild inflamation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and believe that the source of the problem is at the neck/shoulder...

[mattscott]

Originally Posted by Beezy33

I'm in the very last stages of my first case of "lateral epicondylitis" on my left elbow. Been out of the gym since the beg. of August and damn what a dragging process it has been! The best thing I did was to get out of the gym completely to take care of it. I didn't even want to be there to do legs or light cardio because I knew that I'd eventually go over to the weights.

I have been seeing a PT over the last 10 weeks or so, first doing good stretching, massage, and ultrasound. I agree with the others on here that the ultrasound did my elbow very good. My dr. released me after about 5 weeks, but I wanted to continue the therapy that was recommended by my PT. I have been strengthening the elbow in their "gym clinic" twice a week and it has helped slowly, but tremendously. I usually do very light bicep curls, wrist curls, over-the-head tricep extensions, and lateral pulldowns.

This process sucks to say the least, but I feel great now and I didn't want to go the route of cortisone shots or surgery. If this happens again, I may go that route, but until then, I am going to ease back into the gym starting at the beg. of January. I hope that I can do all of the bicep/tricep exercises that I could before this happened. My body responds very well to weight training, so my gains increase very quickly, except for bench. So not worried too much there.

My serious recommendation is to get out of the gym and get it taken care of immediately. It was a very tough decision, but I knew it was the best for long-term. The longer you stay in the gym to try and correct, the longer it'll take to heal. Even if you can workout 75% of the time without the constant pain, you're still not healing it. This isn't like a bruise that heals quickly, or soreness after working out that goes away because you're tearing muscles for growth. Taking anti-inflammatories will help, but just prolongs the inevitable. This is a very serious injury, and if done right by listening to your PT, can be healed within 2-3 months.

Best of luck to you and your healing process!

Thanks so much for the post. Man that sucks. You just rained on my parade. Just kidding but it does suck. I really didnt know how serious it was. I think i will go and see a Dr. that has a ultrasound. I really appreciatte your time in answering my questions. Matt

[Fresch]

Originally Posted by pyrolee

Would like to hear more about this! I have a mild inflamation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow and believe that the source of the problem is at the neck/shoulder...

I have found that there is commonly some interference with the natural sliding of the nerve tissue as a precursor to tondonitis. In the case of tennis elbow, it is commonly found that there is impingement in the scalene area of the neck, but possibly aslo under the pec minor area and possibly down the arm as well. Also, usually some dysfunction at the C4-6 levels in the neck.

A tight anterior chest and rounded posture can contribute to the type of problems described above.

[JUGERNAUT]

I get this when I do preacher curls or heavy dips. Does anyone else have this problem?

[pyrolee]

Originally Posted by Fresch

I have found that there is commonly some interference with the natural sliding of the nerve tissue as a precursor to tondonitis. In the case of tennis elbow, it is commonly found that there is impingement in the scalene area of the neck, but possibly aslo under the pec minor area and possibly down the arm as well. Also, usually some dysfunction at the C4-6 levels in the neck.

A tight anterior chest and rounded posture can contribute to the type of problems described above.

Thanks for the info! Your advice seems very valid because ever since I have focused on increasing my flexibility (especially in the chest, neck, and shoulder region) my elbow pain has become much better.

Also, some trigger points in the shoulder/trap region will send pain down to the elbow and hand, so flexibility/massage training would be very beneficial to people suffering from pain in their arms.

[douge43ca]

Thanks to everyone for some great info. Im on week 4 with tennis elbow and it is driving me nuts. My first visit to the doctor I got the basic advice...no lifting for 2 weeks...forearm strap...ibprofin(sp?). While this has helped I don't feel Im ready to do any lifting anytime soon. She also mentioned in the first visit that a cortisone shot my be the next step. After reading this forum Im wondering why she is not recommending physical therapy. Ill bring that up today. One of my friends said he was out for 3 months.... Im hoping this is not the case and in another week or so Ill be able to do some light lifting. If I learn anything useful during my doctors visit today that hasn't already been mentioned Ill post it. Thanks again all!
Doug

[Fresch]

Voltaren Gel probably better than Nurofen

[LILSTEVE]

Doctors have always told me to rest my injury and while i didnt feel pain while i rested it i was never strengthening or healing the actual injury. I always take the same approach to my injuries which is to stretch and get my range of motion back. I push the joint to the point of where i feel the affected area begin to hurt then keep working it progressively until i get full range back. Mind you this is with very little or no weight or using the rubber bands then i start with the weight again and slowly work up focusing on stretch and range until im recovered... Now my chest and arm exercises are better than ever and the weight is at an all time high...

[Fresch]

Yes, well, rest accomplishes what? Allows the inflammation to settle in the initial phase, but after say 72 hours, there is a need to be more active ti actually help some healing to occur and to undo the effects of the injury.

[bohtower36366]

i get this from time to time on my left elbow, specifically when I do skullcrusher with over 150( unfortunately this is the best tricep excersise for me). If you notice....the big guys( real bodybuilders) wear both wrist as well as elbow sleeves when they go heavy....thinking of trying it myself on heavy bench, military, weighted dips and ..duh duh duh, skullcrushers.

just a thought

[Beezy33]

Like I mentioned, it all depends on an individuals goals and how serious they are about getting healed. If you can stand to be out of the gym like I have the last 5 months or so, then do it, and don't look back. And I can say that I am a die-hard gym type of guy. I know that I'm not 100% healed right now, but I feel MUCH BETTER than I did in mid-August and am going back to the gym slowly in January. I mean, when I first got injured, I couldn't even lift a gallon of milk without my elbow hurting, even if only a little bit. I'll be trying some new padded gloves to release tension on the elbows for grip.

STRETCHING, MASSAGE/ULTRASOUND, STRENGTHENING, ICE, and REST are what I learned as the keys to a healthy recovery. I did not take any meds during this process. I's all about time. Find other hobbies to do in the meantime, and work out legs at the gym.

I just find it kind of strange with some of you mentioning that your doctors just opt to go right to cortisone shots instead of PT. I've been told that those shots don't last forever, and my PT tells me that surgery is the last resort in extreme cases.

Anyway, I wish all of you good luck with healing your injuries. Everyone's bodies heal in different ways, so pick remedies that help you best!

[arch47]

Beezy has hit the nail on the head. By the dates listed here I may be a bit late in writing but here it is anyway.

While there are varying degrees of tendonitis, the treatment pattern should be a succession of approaches from least aggressive to most aggressive. (1) Give the muscle some rest by training around it and taking Advil or Aleve. (2) If no improvement in less than 7-10 days, see your physician. (3) They may initially go with a prescription grade non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug either preliminary to, or parallel to, physical therapy. (4) If physical therapy does not produce the desired results, cortisone shots would be the next option. My sports medicine physician indicated that he refrains from giving cortisone too soon. (5) If all the preceding fail, surgery is the last step.

I have had this condition twice. One thing I learned just recently is that I was not balancing my bicep training with tricep training. Improper form can also wreak havoc and needs to be constantly monitored. Hope this finds you much improved!