Tennis/Golfer's Elbow - help!

[GPStyles]

Was trying to do some edging in the garden a few weeks back little realising the back garden had not had any sun and was frozen. I tried to force the edger in and experienced a sharp pain in my elbow which has just not gone away.

I've done an online search and it appears it is tennis elbow rather than golfers elbow as it is the outside of the elbow that is painful. The pain is most acute when I am extending my right arm straight or gripping and lifting things.

With the golf season ahead, rest is not an option I'm afraid so I am looking for pain relief and rehabilitation options. I don't want to be taking NSAID's (advil, brufen etc) for any length of time as I don't want a hole in my stomach! I have searched online and the cuff looks like the best option.

Has anyone else had this condition?
How long did it take to get over it?
What pain relief was most effective?
Any tips or advice?

Thanks guys, I'm pretty confident the US is ahead of the UK in rehabilitation so hopefully someone will have advice not found in the UK.

I've attached a picture of the cuff I found online

[JerryG]

I am not seeing in your note that you have actually had a professional diagnosis. I would be concerned that if you go ahead with best guess treatment you will exacerbate the problem. If at all possible, get thee to a physician for a proper diagnosis and a plan of thereapy.
Out of golf for a couple weeks or even a month would be better than suffering through the whole season--or longer.

[innercityteacher]

Ditto to the profesional exam.

Long ago, when I played college Div III tennis for lunch money, chicks, and an easy grade, we did lots of pushups at different angles and different weight loads, and lots of lat pulls, curls, etc with bands and weights.

Please see your doctor or at least several WebMD articles given the state of socialized medicine in your area.

Pat

[GPStyles]

ok guys, will see the doc but I know how it was caused and have looked at the web article below which is an accurate diagnosis of my symptoms so am pretty confident with what I have.

Tennis Elbow Injury
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a common cause of elbow pain, which can radiate down the forearm from the outer side of the elbow. Tennis Elbow tends to be caused by prolonged gripping activities. There is also elbow pain if the elbow is straight and the hand is moved forward and back at the wrist. Despite the name, Tennis Elbow doesn't just affect tennis players.

A severe episode of Tennis Elbow usually requires a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) prescribed by a doctor and a period of rest from activities that may aggravate the injury. Where complete rest is not possible a Compression Strap (elbow support) can relieve stress and reduce symptoms. Ice Therapy is excellent for relieving the pain of Tennis Elbow. Once the severe elbow pain has settled, progressive strengthening exercises can completely cure Tennis Elbow.

Common Tennis Elbow injury signs & symptoms:

Elbow pain located on the outer side of the elbow.
Elbow pain that is aggravated by gripping activities

[golfguru]

Best thing is you are a swinger.

As the guys said above, go see the doc first. Knowing the NHS, you need to make clear to him that you will need a ultrasound scan too as you are a high ranking golfer in season prep time so you REALLY need to be precise with the diagnosis and the fix as "take 8 week rest" does not cut it unless totally necessary.

[mb6606]

If there is no tendon ligament damage you probably have trigger points that are simple to de-activate. You can do it yourself at home in a few days/weeks. Do an online search "tennis elbow trigger points". There are several good sites to treat this.

[GPStyles]

thanks guru and mb.

[mb6606]

Few people realize the effect of trigger points on the body and suffer needlessly. Golfers are susceptible to neck, back and arm injuries. Most can be treated sucessfully at home with trigger point therapy.

[GPStyles]

tried the trigger point massage techniques and have to say the pain has eased.

Used a TENS machine as well and an ice pack so hard to say which should get the most credit!

Thanks for the advice though

[GPStyles]

got official diagnosis of tennis elbow from the doctor

He's prepared to give it a week or two and then is happy to give me a cortizone injection if I want it