I have a bad case of Tennis Elbow, or Lateral Epicondylitis if you prefer. I don’t play tennis, and this may or may not be triathlon related, but the onset was pretty much right after I finished IMFL in November.
I’ve had a contrast MRI, cortisone injections, physical therapy, rest, ice, ibuprofen, cold, heat, Mobic (variation of Vioxx/Celebrex/Bextra), etc… I wear a elbow sleeve and/or a tennis elbow brace on and off. I can’t seem to get rid of the problem. It is 7+ months now.
Anyone have any advice short of surgery? I’d really rather not get operated on for this. Has anyone had this and figured out something that has worked that I haven’t tried?
I had the same thing several years ago…try to be very conscious of what is really causing the problem. I finally figured out that it was coming from the way I cocked my wrist when holding or carrying my toddler. Then, I was conscious not to aggravate it for a while doing other things. I still know it is there but it is now much better. I also do that wrist flex stretch a lot…good luck!!!
I have a bad case of Tennis Elbow, or Lateral Epicondylitis if you prefer. I don’t play tennis, and this may or may not be triathlon related, but the onset was pretty much right after I finished IMFL in November.
I’ve had a contrast MRI, cortisone injections, physical therapy, rest, ice, ibuprofen, cold, heat, Mobic (variation of Vioxx/Celebrex/Bextra), etc… I wear a elbow sleeve and/or a tennis elbow brace on and off. I can’t seem to get rid of the problem. It is 7+ months now.
Anyone have any advice short of surgery? I’d really rather not get operated on for this. Has anyone had this and figured out something that has worked that I haven’t tried?
Thanks!
In an earlier life I was a chronic pain specialist. Whenever I hear a story of long standing chronic pain “without any basis” I first think of a disorder called RSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy. this would be especially true if it hurts all the time, is sensitive to touch, and you use any of the following words to describe how it feels - burning, aching, cramping, tightness. This usually starts as the result of some trauma, which can be very mild.
Anyhow, if this describes you i would seek out an anesthesiologist pain specialist.
or do you sleep on your stomach or side at night? A girl I swam with had chronic elbow problems because she slept on her stomach with her arms above her, and the constant blood flow restriction caused the problem. Honestly!
Ah, RSD - I call this “Refer to Some other Doctor”
Actually, it has undergone a name change to complex regional pain syndrome though.
Sounds like you have done the right thing(s) so far. Best not to contemplate sx until the 1 year mark. Lastly, look around for a doc that does extra corporeal shockwave (Ossatron or Dornerier Epos Ultra) - used a lot in Europe, but less here. It is non-invasive, but often difficult to get covered by insurance.
Have some one look at the way you are riding. If you ride w/hands on the hoods you may be extending your wrist just a little bit. This will cause a continuous isometric contraction of your wrist extensor causing the tendonitis. If your in the aero bars it may be a case of you not relaxing and gripping the bars too tight. If this is the case add some padding to the bars or xtra handlebar tape this will be the same concept as having a tennis player change their racket to one w/ a bigger grip. Adding more tape may help even if this is not the cause. Ask your Dr. Before trying any of these but just my suggestion.
Ah, RSD - I call this “Refer to Some other Doctor”
Actually, it has undergone a name change to complex regional pain syndrome though.
Sounds like you have done the right thing(s) so far. Best not to contemplate sx until the 1 year mark. Lastly, look around for a doc that does extra corporeal shockwave (Ossatron or Dornerier Epos Ultra) - used a lot in Europe, but less here. It is non-invasive, but often difficult to get covered by insurance.
Best of luck
I know it has changed its name but most docs know it by RSD (at least those who have heard of it) and RSD is a much better name anyhow.
Extra corporeal shockwave is “non-invasive”? Just because nothing solid penetrates the skin or an oraface I would not call it non-invasive. What is the complication rate? Never heard of it as a treatment for RSD. Would love to see the study. Anyhow, symapthetic block is the treatment for RSD by which all others are measured and by which all others usually fall short which is why he should seek out an aware anesthesiologist if my description sounded familiar (or even if it didn’t).
Ah, no. Extra corporeal shockwave (similar to lithotripsy for renal calculi) has nothing to do with RSD. It is used to treat his DIAGNOSED problem of lateral epicondylitis (or plantar fasciitis or achilles tendonitis or lots of other orthopedic maladies in Europe). Non-invasive is a relative term, but when I don’t even wear a mask in the OR and the patient walks home and the patient is back to work the next day with no incision - I’ll use that “phrasology”.
Ah, no. Extra corporeal shockwave (similar to lithotripsy for renal calculi) has nothing to do with RSD. It is used to treat his DIAGNOSED problem of lateral epicondylitis (or plantar fasciitis or achilles tendonitis or lots of other orthopedic maladies in Europe). Non-invasive is a relative term, but when I don’t even wear a mask in the OR and the patient walks home and the patient is back to work the next day with no incision - I’ll use that “phrasology”.
All I was trying to say is RSD (or CRPS) is frequently misdiagnosed. Even though he has a diagnosis, the fact it has not responded to “the usual” therapy suggests that the diagnosis may be in error. In my practice the most common reason for chronic pain was a misdiagnosis. The second reason was inadequate treatment. If he is misdiagnosed, extra-corporeal lithotripsy is likely to have a similar result to his efforts thus far, an expensive waste of time.
I used to do a lot of sympathetic blocks to treat this disorder (with very good results I might add) and I would do them all with no mask, with the patient “walking” home and back to work (those who could work) the SAME day, with no incision, and no one would call that procedure non-invasive.
My wife has had the same thing for the past year. She is a dentist, which is what seems to have brought it on. She can manage it, but she still has bad days, and really has to not use the problomatic hand as much as possible. It is extremely frustrating. Any advice would be appreciated.
I have heard of arnica as a homeopathic anti-inflammatory. You can find arnica products at www.vitaminshoppe.com as well.
If you google arnica, you’ll probably find more scientific studies that say arnica is no better than a placebo than say it provides benefit, but at this point, for ~$20, I’ll try it.
I had the same thing last year. The following things helped me.
Active Release Therapy - traditional physio didn’t seem to help but this definately did.
switched to a Zero Tension Mouse by Dr. Micheal Leahy (the same guy who ‘invented’ ART) do a google search. It looks a bit bizarre and takes some getting used to but it definately helped me.
Adjusted my aerobars, the elbow rests were two narrow for my shoulder width forcing me to rotate my arms.
Part of my physio has been Graston Techniques (http://www.grastontechnique.com/) which my PT doc claims did the same as ART. I’ve had ART on my shoulder, and between the two, I’d go with ART. I’m considering seeking it out for my elbow.
I taught myself to use the mouse left-handed about 2 months into the problem. Good to know the ZTM is out there though.
Is there a formula for this or some other gauge? This is something I’d like to check out once I get back on the bike.
I used the good old TnE (trial and error) formula. I noticed that my elbow was worse after riding on my tri-bike. From that I assumed it must be something with the set-up. I looked at what could be causing stress on that part and the width was the only thing I could think of.