Tennis Elbow

[Canfordhacker]

I've been suffering for a couple of weeks and my self diagnosis is Tennis Elbow (on the outside of the arm, as opposed to Golfer's Elbow, which is the inside).

I'm playing through discomfort rather than pain (though using the kettle and opening stiff doors hurts a lot!) in my left arm, though I'm right handed.

Anybody else suffered and any recommendations on what to do?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice would be ibuprofen and rest

 

[Imurg]

My advice would be ibuprofen and rest

And stop playing Tennis - stupid game......

Sorry........

 

[Canfordhacker]

I'm using ibuprofen gel and in terms of rest I've stopped making the tea. As for tennis - I stopped playing years ago, but it would be worrying as I'm right handed!

 

[CliveW]

Get a Tennis Elbow support from Boots, or similar. I suffered from this a few years ago, and it took about a year to clear completely. I also had physio on it, but it didn't appear to help much.
I would also recommend Ibulieve gel (Ibuprofen and heat)

 

[nomadpaul]

Spooky !!! I have been suffering from this myself recently. Not sure if its Tennis elbow or RSI but its situated on the outside of my left elbow just above and below the actual elbow joint.
As i spend my days pulling domestic appliances about , it was becoming rather painful but late last week i got a tube of Voltarol pain-eze and an elbow support and the arm/elbow has been great ever since. In fact , the only pain i have had is when i didn't apply the cream and left the support off. Even managed a pain-free round of golf on saturday .

 

[dandpl]

Hi

Got the same problem now in my right arm....2 years ago had it it in the left...treatment is ice, anti-inflam and rest.

That did not work so had 2 cortizone injections which did!

At the moment it causes pain just by lifting a cup of tea....have and do use various straps to support which help, but again whilst using ice treatment, anti-inflam drugs and gel I have now just asked for more cortizone.

Good luck ...boy it hurts!

dandpl

 

[Cernunnos]

Tennis elbow is quite common in golfers I believe.

I actually suffered from Golfers & Tennis elbow in one arm & tennis in the other.I also had carpel Tunnel in both hands. This was before I took up golf. I would often wake up with dead hands with awful pins & neddles.

My solution,.... I took up golf to give myself regular excercise to strengthen my arms, wrists & elbows. Its not a solution I would recommend to everyone, but it helped me. That said I took things very easily.I made a mental effort not to over exert myself when I started & for a time decided to use clubs with graphite shafts. Ibruprophen & Irbuprofen gel helped greatly too.

I tend now to only suffer with my elbows & wrists when I've not been playing regularly. Or if I start really overdoing things, either at work or on the course.

Currently no pain or pins & needles in the hands. & only a very mild ache in the inner left elbow & slight in outer right. But nothing that requires anti inflamatory or support.

 

[CliveW]

If you think Tennis Elbow is painful, just imagine what it's like to have a Tennis Ball!

 

[JollysHeld1]

I know the feeling! bought every support every gimmick every pressure pusher - every meridian massager - ley line pokers etc etc believe me if there was a possible cure I bought it! the actual cure?....rest and I mean rest!! absolute non usage of hand wrist forearm and elbow! and for months!! yep months sounds impossible and to most normal working men and women it practically is! but that's the answer

JollysH1

 

[chipsandegg]

hi,
I suffered from the same thing for a while and i put it down to hitting balls down at the range,throughout the winter months i was hitting at least a basket every other day off the mat and when the season started i founbd it just went away. I this helps you as i remember how painful it was.
Andy )

 

[heronsghyll]

I suffered a lot with TE over the years. I finally found a great sports Physio who "worked my elbow" with deep massage and ultrasound once a week for 6 weeks. I stopped all sport activity for the period and it cleared up - pain free.

Now I wear a strap on my arm, bought from Boots, when I play and to this day am still pain free.

If you want to really sort it once and for all, this is what worked for me. Good luck.

 

[Canfordhacker]

Thanks guys, a wide variety of responses. My research tells me that 75% of cases clear with no intervention, though it may take months. I'll stick with the ibuprofen, not play quite as much as I have been and look at the supports available - and hope it does the trick.

Thanks

 

[mono217]

rest

 

[USER1999]

I bought an epicondylitis strap from a company called epimed which is brill. 25 notes of flea bay, but really works. Won't play without it now. Google it., can be bought direct.

You also need to do some gentle stretching, policeman stop stylie. Arm out in front of you, then raise hand by bending wrist upwards. Do this several times a day, forever, and it does help it go.

Left alone, it can take up to 2 yearsto go. This is a long time with no golf.