Tennis elbows

[NVJAY775]

I'm hoping for light at the end of the tunnel, with the possibility of it not being a train.

I have had it in my right elbow for the past 4 years, but normally bearable. My left elbow started up 4th of July weekend. My setup changed that weekend. I went 8.5" shorter pole and stiff as usual. A buddie told me he couldn't ride a stiff pole, because it gave him tennis elbow. I figured it was not going to effect me.

Also that weekend I did a ton of stabs Saturday and noticed stabs are kind of bad news on the left elbow. Sunday I mainly cruised around and did trick (attempts) that didn't put too much pressure on the elbow, until I got the elbow good and warmed up. Then was able to do stabs and like trick (attempts)

But when I got off the water it hurt like a MOFO and stayed super sensitive for 4 days. Even now if I bump it it takes a day to get decently better. Lifting things palm down hurts pretty good too.

In years past I have tried the tennis elbow brace with ibuprofen and have not seen any results at all. That could also be because I cannot not work, or take it too easy. I do try, but for me I have to work to play... Lame.....

A month ago I got a kenalog sp? shot for allergies. Am I screwed for a cortisone shot? If so for how long? Also are there other treatments that are effective and will help me stay on the ski?

Thanks fellas

Jay

 

[Cannibal]

Tennis elbow is tendinitis. Tendinitis is the inflammation of tendons. Though a cortisone shot will relieve the pain temporarily, it will not fix the problem. You can only get 3 or 4 cortisone shots in that area in a lifetime, so unless you want to give this up after your last shot, I'd look for a better solution. Cortisone is a potent steroid and deteriorates the tissue in the area, hence only being able to get a few.

What's causing your tendinitis is tight muscles in your forearms. I have it too from being a mechanic for 10yrs. I have a lot of muscle fibers in my forearms fused together from repetitive motion. As you ride and hold on, your muscles are pulling on your tendons and irritating them. You need to find a good massage therapist and have the muscles stripped in your forearms and also find a chiropractor who does extremities and can adjust your elbows, wrists and shoulders. The massage therapy will hurt and you might even be black and blue for while (if you don't feel bruised, they aren't going deep enough), but it will most likely solve the problem.

 

[easyrhino]

When I turned 40 I had to wear a tennis elbow strap (for tennis). It goes around the forearm to keep the mussels and tendons tight to each other so they don't seperate and bang into each other during fexing and relaxing.

Last time I saw Megadeth, Mustaine had a tennis elbow brace.

 

[NVJAY775]

Thanks guys for the info there. I'll try and hit up this smoking hot message therapist today and my chunky chiro too. I'll ask what they can do. I've just never had any luck with those tennis elbow straps.

 

[NVJAY775]

If I get some message therapy, how long is it going to hurt after? Am i not going to want to ride for a week, or more? I just want to plan around ride time.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

Thanks for the info, I went to the Dr a few weeks back and they tried to do a reflex test on my arms, it was a no go as the muscles were tensed up super tight, she finally just gave up lol, it is tendonitis and repetitive motion disorder for sure, I also have it in both arms, massage therapy sounds like the ticket, I will check into it .

 

[Cannibal]

You will be sore for a few days, icy hot or biofreeze will help, and drink lots of water for the few hours following. Massage therapy releases stored toxins and lactic acid out of your muscles.

I get to see my chunky massage therapist and my hot chiropractor (my wife).

 

[Gainera2582]

start doing finger band extensions with a rubber band(wrap the rubber band around your fingers and extend them). High reps are great for tennis elbow and carpal tunnel.

 

[Proformance1]

Great stuff, i have a ton of issues in this area, Thanks

 

[Cannibal]

Great stuff, i have a ton of issues in this area, Thanks

Sounds like you have a bad case of penis elbow then. :sneaky:

 

[NVJAY775]

Well I had to cancel my appointment today dangit! So I'm going to set one up for the first of next week and see how that goes. I'll post up how it goes. But I have to say thanks to everybody that posted on this thread. VERY helpful. I'm takin it all in.

 

[Cannibal]

So talking to my wife, she says try to find a chiro that does Graston Technique or Active Release. It involves tools and techniques to strip the muscles.

Also, be weary of smoking hot massage therapists, they sometimes don't have the strength to get the job done. Plus the likelihood of the little soldier standing up at attention is much higher with a smoking hot girl than not.

My massage therapist is a pretty husky Greek woman. I don't mind going to male massage therapists as well.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Well, I gues I'll join this club!
I've had pain in my right elbow for a while. (among other issues)
The other issues drove me back to my massage theropist (I hadn't had to see her for 18 months)
During the second visit, which was about neck and shoulders, I asked her about my elbow.
She worked on it for a while, then a second visit. She said it was way "corded-up", and told me it was Tennis Elbow!
Go figure.
It was a mild pain/annoyance. Then I went for a rip on the ski. In the morning I could barely pick up my coffee cup.

She also suggested the brace thing, ice, anti inflamitories. I added biofreeze & ben-gay & whatever else I thought might help.

JET SKI ELBOW!!!!

My riding buddy is also a mechanic and has the same symptoms.
Unfortunately I don't think there is a quick fix. But please post if you find one!

 

[Cannibal]

Yep, sucks huh? Those 'corded up' muscle fibers are easy to find. Use your finger and run it back and forth across your forearm while pushing down moderately. They should be nice and smooth, but once you hit the cored area, you will push and that muscle group will basically jump from one side of your finger to the other. That is the area that needs to be stripped. My wife has to strip my forearms every now and then, but I usually wait until I get to the massage therapist because she can work them for 20 min, where my wife gets in and gets the job done quick. Long constant stripping vs short intense stripping. My wife has brought tears to mine and many other's eyes stripping forearm muscles.

So, quickest fix is going to be the most painful. Your choice.

Also what I posted before, a chiro that does Graston Technique has tools to strip the muscles, might be worth a try.

*EDIT* 1000th post :woot: That brings me up to 994 useless posts and 6 good ones :biggrin:

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Thanks for the info. It's always good to hear it from "other than Med" people.
It was my Back-snapper who sent me to the massage theropist. (the neck issue).

She told me after my last visit that she could not help me any further and that I should go to an MD and get a steroid shot.
(not for the elbow) for the neck thing.

She said she would continue to see me for the elbow, but that I could get the brace and streatch and resolve it on my own.
I don't think she's B.S'ing me cause I've not yet met my deductable and have been paying per visit.

She also suggested an MRI. (for the neck)

Usually, back-snappers and massage theropists don't suggest these "conventional" means, but they can't seem to fix me. (the neck)
The elbow....it just needs time, ice, and anti-inflamitories.

 

[NVJAY775]

I've been busy working and haven't had time to get in yet. I also want to make sure I do it right when i do go in. I like the messaging and stripping of the muscles idea. I youtubed some on both techniques and understand how and why it helps. Definitely makes sense. I just have to find a descent provider in my area for it. On a side note after watching the videos I tried to imitate active release. And even though I have not a clue as to what I am doing, I did notice improvement in pain loss and range of motion a couple days later. I just need to take the time and get it done. Just slammed with work and when i have time I want to camp and ride.

Thanks Cannibal for the info. And tell your wife thanks for me too. I appreciate the help and advice.

 

[NVJAY775]

Update. I saw the chiro just over a week ago and she adjusted my elbows and also used some spring loaded pencil thingy. She didn't explain what it was, just told me to let her try it and see if it would work for me. She used the tool from my elbow up my arm, shoulder, then neck along with the re adjustment. It made me feel a ton better after a couple days. Weird, but it really worked.

Next time I go back (hopefully this week) I'll ask her what she did and try and remember to post back.

 

[Cannibal]

That's an interesting method. I assume it was the activator she used. Kinda odd to use it on the muscles though. Hope it works out for you. Like F.P.D. was talking about...not everything works for everyone, but it's always worth a try in my book to avoid medication and surgery if at all possible.

Keep us updated.

 

[NVJAY775]

I still think it is more of a temporary fix. I liked the adjustment, but still want to find an active release practitioner.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

I have two wrist braces that I wear on and off and they do help however, most of my pain is down the length of my arm from the wrist to the elbow. At any rate I thought a compression type sleeve would be the ticket, but where to find one, hmmmmmm. I went to the obvious place , thats right Ebay, they are called shooter sleeves and are worn by basketball players. I happened to be in town today and picked up a couple at Academy sports, around $12.00 a piece for Nike brand arm sleeves in black size small, I tried the lg-xl but the sm-med had more compression. I have been wearing them most of the day and I must say its the best $25.00 I have ever spent, the pain is gone in my Left arm which is the good one and my right arm now feels like my left arm did before the sleeves, which comparatively is really good lol.