Tennis elbow, hints, tips and fixes for getting over this injury

[Mark_G]

I am gutted to have found out from the doctor that I have tennis elbow, checking on the net there seems to be loads of dodgy advice regarding exercises and treatments, I have bought a support, and would appreciate any advice of things that helped your recovery. I am also thinking of cancelling my membership of my golf club if this is going to take months to fix.

 

[bluewolf]

Is the pain on the inside or outside of your elbow?

Either way, the best cure is rest. Take it from someone who is on the verge of retiring from Golf due to the fact that mine has now gone on for 18 months and no sign of improvement....

 

[Foxholer]

Tennis Elbow is relatively rare for Golfers who are swinging reasonably correctly - Golfers Elbow (pain on the inside of the elbow) is much more common.

TE Support should help, but a check with your Pro could well spot a contributing fault.

Different (softer) shafts could also help. Graphite shafts are now considered 'better' for such conditions, whereas a while ago they were more the cause!

I believe that a Steroid (Cortisone) injection should be a 'last resort' only - though I have heard of 'miraculous cures' from it. It's basically an acid that destroys the tendon that is inflamed so 'eliminates' the discomfort - and the function of the tendon!

 

[Mark_G]

Pain is on the outside of the elbow, I am in a physical job so no chance of resting it but I am hoping that with supports and exercises I can get it sorted sooner rather than later. I have been told that it takes as long as it takes, but I dont want to give up without a fight. Hope you get better soon BW.

 

[guest100718]

How bad is the pain? I have it and find I can manage it with neurofen and brace.

 

[Mark_G]

Foxholer, I think in truth its more related to my work, and the golf has just aggravated it even more. I have also been told about the injections by a friend, and like you say, that really would be a last resort (if I couldnt work) but hopefully I can come through this reasonably quickly

 

[Mark_G]

Paddy, I have had it for probably 6 weeks, where its got progressively worse, I finally gave in and went to the doctor, (had to book 2 weeks in advance), the last time I played was without a support or pain relief and approximately 10 times it felt bad and made me hook the ball viciously. I havent been out with a support on or pain killers, but thats a few weeks away I think at the earliest

 

[richart]

Tennis Elbow is relatively rare for Golfers who are swinging reasonably correctly - Golfers Elbow (pain on the inside of the elbow) is much more common.

TE Support should help, but a check with your Pro could well spot a contributing fault.

Different (softer) shafts could also help. Graphite shafts are now considered 'better' for such conditions, whereas a while ago they were more the cause!

I believe that a Steroid (Cortisone) injection should be a 'last resort' only - though I have heard of 'miraculous cures' from it. It's basically an acid that destroys the tendon that is inflamed so 'eliminates' the discomfort - and the function of the tendon!

I have had tennis elbow three or four times, last time for three years. I was playing tennis four/five times a week, but didn't get it once from tennis

Gardening, painting and digging out grouting from the shower caused mine. Gripping and twisting repetitively is a common cause. I saw a specialist who said I could either have a cortisone injection, or it is rest. Injection much too painful, and didn't want my tendon turning into burnt bacon, so rest from tennis it was. I did take up golf again as I could play with the pain, and didn't make it any worse. Just keep your elbow tucked in to your side when you follow through without straightening the arm worked for me. I am assuming it is in your right elbow ? If not play left handed.

 

[Imurg]

I'm suffering with a bout as well. Had it since December on the right elbow
Some things are hideously painful and some are not.
Fortunately the only thing in golf that hurts it is when I scoop up the ball backhanded with the putter - I've learnt to do it left handed now!
Hope everybody's clears soon.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Painful. Hope you find a way of getting some relief especially with a manual job.

 

[DAVEYBOY]

I had golfers elbow bad at the start of the season and anti inflams along with ice 3/4 times a day allowed me to play golf without too much pain... I think 6 weeks away from the gym may of helped too.

 

[the_coach]

most times I've come across folks with golf/tennis elbow through my coaching, in everyone there has been a good degree of disconnection in their swings between a very over active arm swing combined with not enough body rotation, particularly through impact which has required the golfer having very overactive hands to try to produce a good deal of clubface rotation to try to get the club through impact in a condition that might get the ball towards target.
fortunate not to suffer myself but here's something, have no idea personally whether it's of any use. It's $12 or so.
[h=1]
Golfer's Elbow & Tennis Elbow Explained. Golfer's Elbow / Tennis Elbow / Epicondylitis Treatment, Exercises, Symptoms, Causes, Surgery, Cure, Braces, [COLOR=#888888 !important]Paperback[/COLOR] [COLOR=#888888 !important]– December 12, 2013[/COLOR][/h]
[h=3]Most Helpful Customer Reviews[/h]great book, love the exercises
[COLOR=#888888 !important][COLOR=#888888 !important]By [/COLOR]jpmax [COLOR=#888888 !important]on January 19, 2014[/COLOR][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#888888 !important]Format: Paperback[/COLOR]I really enjoyed reading this book, being a sufferer of golfer's elbow. I love the exercises and have done some for 2 weeks now. They do really work as I have considerably less pain. The suggested aids are also well explained. All in all a very good book.

 

[chellie]

If you're open to alternative treatments try and find a Bowen and Emmett therapist.

 

[USER1999]

I had it for about 18 months. I bought a strap to wear while playing golf, it helped. Eventually it went away.

Cutting my hedges this spring, by hand, with shears, I got it again.

I still have it.

The moral of this s for me is, pay someone to cut the stupid hedge!

 

[richart]

I had it for about 18 months. I bought a strap to wear while playing golf, it helped. Eventually it went away.

Cutting my hedges this spring, by hand, with shears, I got it again.

I still have it.

The moral of this s for me is, pay someone to cut the stupid hedge!

Once you have had it once, it is seems much easier to get it again. Permanent weakness in the tendon. It also seems to take longer to recover from each time you get tennis elbow. Sorry Chris.

 

[USER1999]

Once you have had it once, it is seems much easier to get it again. Permanent weakness in the tendon. It also seems to take longer to recover from each time you get tennis elbow. Sorry Chris.

Well, you're full of good news and all round happiness!

 

[palindromicbob]

All related to inflammation. Once you had it you are always more prone to it because it is caused by damage to the tendons and muscle causing an inflammatory reaction.

Rest, rest and more rest. The most common reason for rapid reoccurrence with any sports injury is not allowing the area to heal fully before putting strain back onto it. Also once there is a weakness there is always an increased risk of reoccurance. This is why using supports can be a bad thing, they give a false sense of being able to do more. Supports also increase heat in the area and although compression reduces swelling while wearing it, removal can then be followed by increased inflammation.

Avoid any activity that increases strain on the area. Ice and NSAIDs are both ways to relieve pain. Physio can help to build strength, maintain mobility and prevent further injury.

 

[Smiffy]

I have had it twice now, and it's bloody painful. Last time was about 3 years ago, and what triggered it off was trying to hit an impossible shot out of some really (really) thick heather. It started hurting a few days later and drove me absolutely nuts for quite some time.
I tried different methods to get rid of it, nothing helped at all.
Then I did some internet searching and came up with this....
http://www.1-800homeopathy.com/ruta-grav.html

In for a penny, in for a pound, so I bought some off of Amazon.
Started popping the tablets and within about a week all of my pain had gone and has never returned (although I still think twice about playing shots out of heather).
I'm not normally one that pops pills, and certainly have no idea about homeopathic medicines but they worked for me.
Could have just been coincidence but if I ever get hit with tennis elbow again, I'll certainly be taking them.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I had a bout about 3 years ago and mentioned it in passing to a customer who is a physio and alternative therapist.

Within minutes I was on the couch having my neck looked at and after some manipulation the pain went over the next couple of days.

Might be worth checking it out
http://www.eorthopod.com/content/tennis-elbow-could-originate-in-the-neck

 

[delc]

A couple of years ago I got an excruciating pain on the outside of my left elbow. I went to see my doctor and she pulled and prodded my arm, asked if this hurts (answer Yes), and then pronounced that I had got tennis elbow. "But I don't play tennis" I replied. She explained that golfers can also get this in their lead arm (I play right handed). She gave me some physiotherapy exercises designed to stretch the tendon that runs over the outside of the elbow and advised me to wear a tennis elbow brace when playing golf for a few weeks. Problem cleared up in about 3 weeks and I was able to continue playing golf. Result!