I’m sorta new but I’ve been here before using an older email address. My current problem is bilateral lateral epicondylitis. I was diagnosed eight months ago. The doc gave me little pillows to strap to my elbows. They didn’t do anything positive. I understand some injuries require rest to heal but eight months seems like more than enough time.
I think it was caused by doing excessive reps using an ab roller. Also at the same time I was doing a car restoration with lots of sanding by hand. With eight months of inactivity I’ve lost significant grip strength. I’m a veterinarian/surgeon and have found lately that I’m dropping instruments. My practice included a lot of equine surgery but I’m had to quit that because of the grip problems.
I’ve tried DMSO, I use two aleve daily, I tried testosterone cypionate injections, I’ve done a lot of wrist/forearm stretches. Lately I massage both epicondyles with ice after work. The doc had said if there’s no improvement I may require surgery. I’d rather not risk it.
How can I build strengh considering my grip strength is so poor?
Thanks for the reply. I’ve read both pages. The hammer trick is something I can do at my desk. I forgot to mention I’ve had training in acupuncture and trigger point therapy. Also I’ve got an old medical ultasound therapy machine. Acupuncture caused mild improvement but not long-lasting. About on a par with DMSO. Ultrasound didn’t help at all. I guess I could try magnets. Some salesman sold me flexible equine magnets with rubber backing. I used them myelf when I had plantar fasciitis. I wrapped them around my foot at bedtime. Come morning my foot felt great. But I think it was from the heat generated by the wrapping. They didn’t help much on patients.
Awesome dog. Yeah, my thread has netted some good gouge. I am really getting into the Trigger Point Therapy. I am also going to book my first deep tissue massage. I was going to buy an ultrasound kit. You say save my money?
I have had lateral elbow pain as well. It cleared up after about a year of misery.
At eight months yours is a chronic condition and ice is not indicated. Heat will help. Try resting your elbow on a hot water bottle. An Ace wrap can keep your elbow warm during the day, plus the gentle pressure seems to help.
Don’t apply the Ace wrap tightly, just wrap it around your elbow without tension. Those are things I have found to be helpful.
Any numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers? Consider carpal tunnel syndrome. That could account for your grip weakness. Pain from median nerve compression at the wrist can be felt in elbows and shoulders, too. Nerve conduction studies can be diagnostic.
Had my first deep-tissue massage today. Hands down, the most physical pain I have ever been in. It was glorious. Laughing maniacally the whole time. I thought I was going to pass out at one point. He had my fingers dancing and was just working my elbows. Crazy. I told him I was going to name my first born child after him.
You can tell when they find a trouble spot. Glad to hear this news. You can learn from what they do and be able to do a little of these kind of work yourself. Take some naproxin, plenty of fluids, fish oil and anti-oxidants. Stretch those muscles if you can as they heal.
If the root problem is microscopic tears in the muscle where it originates in the epicondyle, I assumed extra glucosamine might help. A veterinarian friend told me he used Adequan injections on his tennis elbow and it cleared it up. I’ve been doing the same thing and it hasn’t helped me. After eight months of this I wonder if I need to just start back lifting weights, even though I’ll be working at the punk level. The doctor told me I need to rest my arms but my job requires a lot of lifting and I can’t exactly quit my job because of elbow soreness.
Man I feel your pain. Literally. Sounds like you are really getting jerked around here. I wish I could give you some words of encouragement. Dude, my therapist just gave me a band to put around the bottom of my elbow, and she said it would do a LOT more help than just a neoprene sleeve. It was because it has a brunt end that digs into your elbow, and stops the force trauma shockwaves going up your arm. Sounded like a step in the right direction to me. And go sit in the sauna for five minutes before stepping onto the gym floor. The heat does wonders.
And lastly, welcome to T-Nation. This online community of sickos changed my life several years ago, and I preach the T-Natty word everywhere I go. And buy Biotest. God bless Testosterone, and God Bless Biotest.
This is an old thread I’d forgotten about. Early this year I gave up and went to an orthopedic doctor. He injected both elbows with steroid. The pain and weakness was gone within a week. But it came back a month later. I had watched closely as the doc was injecting. I tried to inject myself using a small amount of depo medrol. That didn’t last long.
I waited several weeks then went back to the doc. He injected again, but did it diffeently than before. Regardlesss, six months later the pain has not returned. I’m not ready for the weight room yet but am doing pushups with a swiss ball and getting better.
