tennis elbow.....

Good day! I have been experiencing tennis elbow (tendonitis) in my right elbow for the last 6 months. It's due to weight training and heavy lifting. I've cut back on the weight but still have soreness (though not as bad.) I've tried ice a few times each day, a brace when I exercise and Advil yet I still have it. My health insurance plan at work ***** and I don't want to go see a doctor as I don't have the money. Any suggestions? Thanx!!!

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
Tennis elbow is also called lateral epicondylitis and is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. Give rest to your elbow. Apply some cold packs on it and some analgesic (pain reliever) gel or cream. You can also take some over the counter anti inflammatory like ibuprofen or diclofenac. Orthotic brace or straps to reduce stress are also useful. Other useful treatment options are soft tissue massage, stretching exercises and ultrasound therapy. Severe cases may need surgical intervention.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[LazyMoose]

This will eliminate it in one week:

Soft tissue massage on the sore areas will help. You have to actually be a little aggressive with this and push in these areas with your thumb for ten seconds at a time. This is called muscle trigger point therapy, books are available on this.  To find this area you will have to poke around, as it is not the same location where you feel the tennis elbow pain. Its called refereed pain. Then sleep with it strait, put some sports elbow guard on backwards, then you can bend at night. Also feel for a trigger point in your bicept or tricept, push in deep, it will hurt at first but instant relief will occur in the elbow pain.

been there done that!

good luck,

[janieann]

Dr. Singh,

I'm also suffering from a horrible case of tennis elbow from golf right now.   Due to some commitments through the end of June, I can't rest it now.    Do you have any opinions on the light therapy devices being marketed right for the relief of tendonitis?  

I usually follow the if-it-sounds-to-good-to-be-true-it-probably-is philosophy, but I'm getting desperate.  I gave myself gastritis from overdoing the ibuprofen, so I can't use that to help.

Thanks.

Jane