lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

I injured the tendon in my elbow while lifting weights back in December and I immediately felt the pain. I took 4 mounts off from weight lifting, but when I started back up in April, I experienced severe elbow pain after only 4 workouts. It has now been 5 weeks since I last lifted weights and the pain is minimal, but my grip strength is diminished and I don't think that I could lift weights again without the pain. So I am very hesitant to start it up again.

I saw an orthopedic surgeon this week. We had x-rays taken to rule out any bone damage and that result was fine. The next step is to do an MRI which should be next week. The surgeon discussed the surgery option, but I have read a lot about the surgery and I have many reservations about it. Another option was cortisone injections, but that just masks the injury and is not a long term solution.

So, I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this injury. What did you do to recover? Was surgery part of your recovery and how was that experience? Do you have regrets about doing the surgery?

I will know more after the MRI; whether it is a tendon tear or tendon degeneration... and how bad either of those are. Healing naturally would be ideal, but when is it time to pull the surgery trigger?

Thanks for any advice.


UPDATE.

so, I had an MRI last week and met with the surgeon yesterday to go over the results. according to the surgeon, the MRI showed a small (1/4") area of inflammation at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone. He said that this inflammation is indicative of small, micro tears inside the tendon. Fortunately, the tendon is still intact and attached to the bone.... its just the fibers inside of it that are damaged.

he was open to any treatment that I wanted to do, but thought that surgery at this point would be very aggressive. instead, I opted for a conservative approach. the pain that I am feeling is minimal and I have started doing some at-home physical therapy for it. I have been doing some stretching and strengthening exercises. @Unlimited thanks for recommending the therabands and the tyler twist exercise. I am using the 15 pound (green) band and, in the few days that I have been using it, my elbow feels much better. I am considering weight lifting again, but I will start with very light weights and see how it goes. I will also use the arm bands to isolate the forearm muscle.

the surgeon said that any medical treatment other than surgery (such as anti inflammatories, pain meds, injections, icing, etc.) will only mitigate the pain and do nothing for healing the area. I have read a lot about cortisone injections and I am leery to try that because of all the negative effects that it can have on the tendon. I guess for now I will go easy on the workouts and mitigate any pain using at-home remedies. I will use surgery as a last resort. However, the surgeon did claim that surgery would be a permanent fix for it, but I have read its only about 80% effective. I have also read that this injury can heal itself but it can take 6-12 months or even longer. so, I don't know.... this injury is so annoying

thanks for all the good advice, everyone

 

I just recently noticed the same thing in my right elbow. I don't know how it happened, but lifting anything hurt. Even just stretching my arm out all the way hurt. And if I accidentally bumped that elbow on a wall, even lightly....... Holy Shit OUCH.
I started wearing this at night and its definitely helped out.

 

yeah, I was using one of those forearm straps during the worst of the pain and it did help. I suppose it would be a good idea to use the strap if I were to lift weights again.

 

I did something similar by cranking the sausage stuffer with only left arm. I know mine is soft tissue. I am still able to do 60 lb reps on the Bowflex but it is really affecting other things where I have to bend my elbow. Fishing is one since I hold rod with that arm. I am just going to let it heal on its own but could take quite a while. One problem I have is I am missing one artery in the arm and that is already affecting arm strength somewhat. Never thought that stuffing 50 lbs of sausage would do what it did.

 

I was wearing one of the forearm straps during the day, but it seemed to do very little, if anything, as far as making my arm get better.
I have a friend who had it worse than me. They did get the cortisone shot, but didn't notice much difference. I didn't want to get as bad as they were, so I started wearing the night brace and within a week noticed it getting better.

 

Get your self one of these
https://www.betterbraces.com/bandit-elbow-band
Do these stretches and exercises: (not affiliated with this website) http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/s...is-elbow/tennis-elbow-strengthening-exercises
If these don't help in a couple weeks I would suggest going to see a Physical therapist that has hybresis patches ("electronic bandaid" that dexamethasone and saline are applied to and electrical current draws the medicine in to affected area and runs for about 4 hours) this will take a couple treatments. I've been working in PT for 9 years.
As far as cortisone injections it varries person to person. Some it does nothing and some it will last 3-6 months l, also depending on the physician administering it and getting in correct spot.

 

Where are you experiencing the pain?

I am currently dealing with a similar situation.

I had/have tennis elbow and pain in my elbow for years. I used a tennis elbow brace while working out and eventually the pain I had across my elbow went away. However, the pain started creeping into my forearm. The pain I was having wasn't during working out, but being on a computer typing, my phone, etc.

I would advise you to stay away from cortisone, as you noted it just masks the pain. I went the cortisone route, and it was horrible. Frankly, my forearm is in worse pain and have different pains that I didn't have before. I took off from lifting and went to the physical therapy like the doctor said, and still am experiencing the pain. I think it's because I have to type and 10-key all day for my job.

The doctor and PT place recommended a procedure called PRP. They take your blood out, put it in a device to mix it, they reinject it to the area of pain, and then science happens. I'm still reading about it more, and am considering it.

 

Straight up tennis elbow I got a shot and it worked for me.

 

When I was pushing 10,000 mouse clicks per day. I had some pretty intense forearm pain. Brother had same and doc said it is similar to carpal tunnel but they had a different name for it. He had surgery to correct.

 

Both medical and lateral epicondylitis is painful, but can be fixed the majority of the time with P.T., stretching, simple exercises, AND changing up your workout routine. It's caused by a muscle/tendon imbalance. I used to get it really bad, and couldn'teven shake anyone's hand it hurt so bad, but since I've made changes haven't been bothered by it. When I wanted to heal really quick I used Voltaren gel, and then DMSO on top of that to drive it home really quick. Bam, good as new in a few days. Warning: Voltaren is some strong shit, and you need a prescription.

 

Great advice here. I had a mild case of it 8 or 9 years ago in my right arm. Used the brace, did the stretches, it worked itself out in a couple of months. Main thing is I did something about it when it started bothering me, rather than let it get worse and incapacitate me.

 

I get it all the time from many years of boxing. It comes and goes. Once it's here you have to stop exercising right away or else it gets worst. Sometimes I got stupid and waited 4 months before stopping then it takes 6 months to recover. Deep massage, hands exercises, warm baths/compresses, copper elbow brace at night and Penetrex cream works for me. Don't try cortizone, short term it releaves the pain but long term it really eats up the tissues around.
It will take time to heal, just be patient.

copper brace:

$15 Copper Compression Elbow Sleeve - Copper Infused Orthopedic Brace for Tennis & Golfer Elbow, Tendonitis, Arthritis, Bursitis, Sore Joints & Muscles - Fits Men & Women -1 Sleeve - Original/Black - M

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00STR80QC


cream:

$19 Penetrex Joint & Muscle Therapy – Soothing Comfort for Back, Neck, Hands, Feet – Premium Whole Body Rub with Arnica, Vitamin B6 MSM & Boswellia – Non-Greasy 2oz Cream

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026HDURA/

 

also CBD cream works wonder.

 

This.

Definitely go see a Physical Therapist before going down the route of cortisone injections and/or possibly surgery. Surgeons are quick to cut, that's what they do. I have absolutely nothing against surgeons but it never hurts to get a second opinion if the first thing they mention is surgery. Cortisone is a steroid and can actually weaken the tendons.. especially if it becomes a frequent band aid for the problem. Once or twice to keep the pain and inflammation down while you are doing therapy is absolutely fine, but I wouldn't recommend it for a long-term solution. Braces can also help in the interim to help reduce pain and inflammation but can also lead to atrophy if used as a crutch. Grizzly gave good advice but even he would admit it's hard to give someone a home exercise program without actually evaluating them. If possible, try to get a referral to a PT so they can create a home exercise program for you and show you how to do the exercises properly.

 

thanks for all the advice, everyone. it gives me a lot to think about.

 

I had tennis elbow in both arms from years of working and training dogs and the repeated motion. I used to lift with dumbbells exclusively and the tennis elbow put a stop to that. I chose not to have surgery instead receiving cortisone shots in each elbow. Since retiring and not having the repeated strain on the elbows I am fine as long as I don't just use dumbbells. I have since switched to mixing in heavy bands, TRX and because I am older have lightened the load. Deep tissue massage on the forearm and elbow where all of the tendons meet works well. If done right it will bring you to tears (think ringing out a wet towel) but feels better afterwards for a while.

 

Hearing more and more about PRP. The machine is a centrifuge, separating your platelets which get injected into the affected area. If applicable seems to be worth a try before surgery, blood withdrawal then an injection to affected area.

 

I hurt my elbow playing baseball when I was young and it has hampered me throughout my life. I lose grip strength, can't do things like bench press because the elbow just gives out. I did find something called the 'Tyler Twist' (look it up on youtube, and you can get the device on Amazon.com called Theraband - red one). There are two different ways you can do this exercise, depending on the way you grip the band. I've found great relief with this and its got me back to golfing, lifting, throwing, playing basketball, etc. Its cheap and easy, so I would recommend just giving it a shot. I think its had mixed reviews depending on the injury but for the most part my elbow is fixed with this.

 

also there is the other one: the golfer's elbow that one sucks too.

 

Look into floss bands. Helped me with my tendinitis (jumper’s knee).

 

UPDATE.

so, I had an MRI last week and met with the surgeon yesterday to go over the results. according to the surgeon, the MRI showed a small (1/4") area of inflammation at the point where the tendon attaches to the bone. He said that this inflammation is indicative of small, micro tears inside the tendon. Fortunately, the tendon is still intact and attached to the bone.... its just the fibers inside of it that are damaged.

he was open to any treatment that I wanted to do, but thought that surgery at this point would be very aggressive. instead, I opted for a conservative approach. the pain that I am feeling is minimal and I have started doing some at-home physical therapy for it. I have been doing some stretching and strengthening exercises. @Unlimited thanks for recommending the therabands and the tyler twist exercise. I am using the 15 pound (green) band and, in the few days that I have been using it, my elbow feels much better. I am considering weight lifting again, but I will start with very light weights and see how it goes. I will also use the arm bands to isolate the forearm muscle.

the surgeon said that any medical treatment other than surgery (such as anti inflammatories, pain meds, injections, icing, etc.) will only mitigate the pain and do nothing for healing the area. I have read a lot about cortisone injections and I am leery to try that because of all the negative effects that it can have on the tendon. I guess for now I will go easy on the workouts and mitigate any pain using at-home remedies. I will use surgery as a last resort. However, the surgeon did claim that surgery would be a permanent fix for it, but I have read its only about 80% effective. I have also read that this injury can heal itself but it can take 6-12 months or even longer. so, I don't know.... this injury is so annoying

thanks for all the good advice, everyone

 

Glad to hear your pain is going down! Also, good to hear your surgeon was honest about it and didn’t jump straight to surgery. If you don’t continue to see improvement or seem to plateau, I would recommend asking the doctor for a PT referral. Sometimes these issues can also be caused by compensatory movement for imbalances (muscle, joint, etc.) in surrounding areas. It wouldn’t hurt to get an evaluation done by an Orthopedic PT, if you haven’t already. Hope you continue to feel better. I’ve come to rely on your detailed installation threads, so I can’t have you going on IR!

 

this injury was caused by a sloppy transition in weight when I was about to do shoulder presses. I felt the tear/pain instantly. I keep kicking myself.... 30 years of weight lifting and never an injury and then this happens.

 

Yea that’s a bummer.. but it sounds like it could have been worse given the mechanism of injury.

 

@Netmonkey I too believe I'm getting tennis elbow right side due to work and possibly carpel tunnel as well both wrists from the machine I operate, the elbow is bad especially here when I'm home on my off days and doing daily chores or whatever activity at end of day it's hurting bad

 

Do something about it now before it becomes a tear. Don't try to push through the pain. That will only make it worse.

 

It's sore now (elbow)