Question for Sunshine Kid

Sunny,

What’s the best way to deal with tennis elbow? I seem to have a recurring problem with this: It will hit me 1-2 times a year, in both arms at different time intervals…

(OK-before anybody makes any wisecracks on here about overuse doing PE exercises-that’s NOT the case!) LOL

Cajun,

Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the extensor muscle tendons and Golfers elbow is an inflammation of the flexor muscle tendons. Now that I have you confused, the cause of the inflammation is over use of the muscles. Tendons connect muscle to bone, ligaments connect bone to bone (with the exception of the penis, then a ligament suspends something) You do not tell me what you were doing, but I also suffer from it.

My suggestion is this, when it act ups and is really painful, put an ice pack on it for a minimum of 15 to 20 minutes. When it isn’t, use a little heat to keep the blood flowing and muscles relaxed. Also, you can purchase braces (small band like) to place on you arm right below (toward the hand) elbow. This places pressure on the tendons which helps to releive pain.

Hope this helps.

Sunny-
I play golf at least once a week, and usually go deep sea fishing a couple times a month.
I just can’t figure out what is causing the flareups….and it’s not a consistant probelm: I can go a few of months with no problems then it hits.
I have tried the ice-that does help the pain, and the brace makes it livable.
Are there specific muscle exercises that might help?

Thanks!

Cajun

I can only give generalized exercises for you to do because of licensure regulations. But, before I can do that I need to know something. Ok, if it only flares up on occassion, what are you doing right before (a day or so) it becomes inflammed?

The reason I ask is that the medial nerve runs right in thru there as well and it is possible that you have inflammed the nerve and not the tendon. FYI, the medial nerve is the only nerve that you can feel from the outside of the body. AKA: funny bone. Let me know.

Usually affects me more after golf. Fishing makes me sore all over if I’m lucky. :-)

I goofed!!!! It is the radial nerve. I have a good pic of it and once I can shrink the pic I will get it posted.

Yes I remember this nerve - it’s the one that runs in the inner aspect of the elbow, you can feel it as a soft area between the bones and if accidentally hit against a hard object you will feel sort of an electric shock. Btw it’s the ulnar nerve as far as I recall.

Hey Cajun,
Music… Fishing…Golf… Tennis… and PE…!
Do you have any time left for work? LOL

Anatomy of the elbow - here are two good pics of the joint:

front view - http://www.bart … 7/illus329.html
back view - http://www.bart … 7/illus330.html

I decided early in life to put things in perspective……LOL
(btw-no tennis-it takes away from the others…and it’s hard to drink a beer while playing)
Thanks for the link(s)

Sunny-thanks for your research!

Got the pic shrunk so it will fit in here now.

WillB7—-Great anatomy shots thanks.

I’m adding a layer now, these are the nerves that innervate the arm. Notice in the bottom pic you can see the radial nerve and how it runs right along the outside edge of the arm.

If you notice the pain more after golfing, my suggestion would be to work on the flexor muscles. Now, if you look at your arm with the palm upward, the flexors are on that side of the arm. My offer of exercise is this, hold onto a weight of a couple of pounds (start with one pound and go up) with your arm in the above position (palm up) do wrist curls, that will affect those muscles. Do 3 sets 3 times a day. Each set should contain a minimum of 15 to 25 reps. You are going after strength so keep the reps the same and increase weight on a weekly basis.

Continue using the ice and brace to keep the inflammation under control.

Sunny-
I will give that a try. I’ve done some exercises to try to resolve the problem, but never tried any like that.
I WILL try it and see!

You’re sweet for taking the time to do that for me!
THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cajun

You are welcome. And good luck.

Cajun,

How’s the elbow?

Seems to be slightly better (haven’t played much golf lately….maybe I should give it up. (Blood pressure seems better when I don’t play… LOL)
Seriously, I think it’s helping, and I’m doing the exercise every other day.
Again, thanks for your help!

Cajun