|
|
Posts: 785
| I figured since this is a musky fishing site there have probably been plenty of you that have had tennis elbow (tendonitis). I got mine last July during a week trip to LOTW and have had it for the past 7 and a half months. Like an idiot I just kept on fishing and lifting weights with it until the pain got so bad in December I basically had to stop all movement to my arm. I have an office job and do a lot of typing which seems to aggrevate it.
It has gotten a little better over the past two months but with musky season around the corner I am getting anxious to heal my arm completely. I am only 22 years old and don't really want to have to fight this forever. I have been trying many remidies but would like any info you guys could share on what worked to get rid of your tennis elbow. Big thanks in advance.
Andy |
|
| |
|
Posts: 434
Location: searchin for 50 | Quit playing tennis. First off you need to reduce your use of elbow along with ibuprofen. then its a stretching and conditioning routine. Thats how I got rid of mine. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 956
Location: Home of the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs | My doc first had me used an arm band (local sporting goods or drug store) positioned just below the elbow. He had me do this for a combined 10 weeks (4weeks, 4 weeks, 2weeks). This is the most common mechanical method which in most cases is sufficient. What the band does is keep the tendons in their proper place as they run/slide over their proper place on the ends of the bones that make up your elbow (picture a pulley with a rope). In my case, most severe, I needed a cotizone shot. 12 years later is been all good until just recently I've been feeling the onset again of tendonitis and I'm back with the armband. Second time around I know better than to let even the slightest twinge go unaddressed. The armbands are cheap and effective. The key is properly tensioning them. Ask your doc or a fitness trainner could also help out. yes i do keep one in the boat, hockey bag, bowling bag, etc. they're really that inexpensive.
Karl |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32
Location: Sherry, WI | Consult an orthopaedic specialist. Worked wonders for me. Regimen included a support wrap, specific exercises and anti-inflammitory (Ibuprofen) when using the elbow.
My lateral epicondylitis was a result of fishing. I dealt with it for 7 months, finally caved, and have been pain-free for 4 years now. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 457
| Might be a good idea to talk to your MD about it if it has been ongoing for that long a time. Something that feels like tendinitis could well be, or it could be a torn muscle, torn tendon, even cartilage.
Using a counterforce brace will sometimes help, as will a wrist brace, depending on just where it is. Usually with lateral pain, in classic cases, a brace will help to alleviate the pain and persistence of the condition. Sometimes it will require physical therapy, sometimes not. Even more, rarely though, surgery could be required to fix the problem.
Best bet, talk to you Dr, whether minor or serious, it can well turn into a lifelong issue. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | At 22 I also feel your pain. Although I'd glady trade my back pain for your elbow pain. I have a herniated disc in my lower back that as of late has found much joy in sliding out of place and making it very difficult for me to walk. I'd see someone about the issue and get on some physical therapy. Mine has helped some, but I still do not have full mobility in my right leg......Man I'm getting old. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8772
| Andy... Not sure of what you have is what I had, but let me try to describe it -- pain starts just below your elbow on the inside of your forearm, on the pinky side. Shoots all the way down your arm, pinky and ring fingerget all numb and tingly, pain and cracking in wrist.
As it turns out, mine was from my job, not from typing, but from holding the stupid mouse all day long. Musky fishing just sent it over the top.
What I did that solved it entirely: (this is impossible to describe!)
Instead of sitting directly facing the screen and holding the mouse off to my right side, holding my arm out all day, I turned everything 45 degrees so the mouse is between me and the keyboard. Wait... Here, look at this diagram:
I went from #1 to #2. The key here is now your arm and elbow are resting on the desk, and the mouse is directly in front of you, where you can hold it comfortably all day without causing any strain in your shoulder or your elbow. (I use a mousepad to rest my elbow on) It takes a lot of getting used to, but I have no pain anymore, where before it was pretty much constant. Slept with a brace, couldn't feel my fingers half the time, got to the point where I'd go to pick up something and drop it because the pain was so bad, it took about a week after I switched my office around for it to start getting better, and by a month it was completely gone.
Attachments
----------------
 desk.JPG (19KB - 124 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 1430
Location: Eastern Ontario | I developed a bad case of tennis elbow on opening weekend of 2000 and the first year of my new guiding business. I tried the cortisone but it came back real fast I actually ended up going for acupuncture and it worked like a charm. I only see a little pain on occasion. As of last December I am getting it on my other arm and I'm soon going to be trying to find that same doctor who fixed my other arm. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2752
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | What most of the guy's said- Go see your doctor & make sure you know what it is. Most common for tennis elbow is the forearm brace & Ibuprofen. My doctor gave a me 800mg perscription. I'm good now, but have twinges now & then.
esoxaddict- Great idea! I'm going to give it a shot.
Al
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i had it so bad a couple years ago that it caused me to not be able to sleep comfortably. it was extremely bad with some tearing and damage ... i used the wrap, ice, ibuprofin, beer ... you name it. the only remedy is to take time off doing the things that aggrevate it ... and i mean TIME ... i feel much better now, but it took over a year for mine to improve. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: WI | I had it in my elbow when I played guitar in a band, so I stopped playing so much and it went away. Currently I've had it in both my hands for over a year now. I work in a warehouse lifting things full time, so until I find a new job I'm SOL. Ibuprofrin and icing them helps.
I also wear a wrist guard on my rod holding arm and it helps a ton! If my hands get too sore I just troll instead of cast. I'm 29 btw. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 323
Location: In the slop! | Vitamin B, every time mine flares up I buy a big bottle and wear that band! I have fought with this many times in the last 20 years, now when it flares up I go for the arm band and the vitamins!! |
|
| |
|
| Old country remedy honey bee stings in the joints if you aint allergic. and goodies powder. take a joint supplement too.
Chris H. Redneck PAgynobynsdf  |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Had it bad, real bad, for years, due to Musky fishing. The thing I did that helped most(popping ibuprofin, or after fishing excercises just masked the issue), was develop a better posture for fishing. Similar to any sport that uses an athletic position, if one is out of the proper one, pain and issues will develop, especially if repeated over time. I am tall, with long arms, and keeping them closer to my body during retrieves has helped alot. Also, not snapping the elbow completely out and past the straight position, has also helped alleviate the pain. There were other things that helped too, but you get the drift. I used to think that it was expected from fishing hours on end day after day. While that played a role, improper posture or ergonomics seemed to play an even bigger one in the elbow issue.
Now if I could just get rid of the burning/numbness in my left shoulder/neck that I get all winter when not casting as it is also quite bothersome... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 457
| Reef Hawg - 2/25/2008 3:27 PM
Now if I could just get rid of the burning/numbness in my left shoulder/neck that I get all winter when not casting as it is also quite bothersome...
Glad to hear I'm not the only one with that. It gets SO bad that I can't sleep sometimes. I can't decide if it really is from no t using those muscle groups, or if I've done something and it has come to haunt me.
The l5-s1 radiculopathy and herniation is what kills me though, when I fish. Makes my right leg go completely numb sometimes. I've had five cortisone shots, a block, and, most recently, a surgery; of little to no avail. I saw a neurosurgeon that said he won't touch it, until I CAN"T walk...
More drugs, less fishing is NOT an option for me. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 697
Location: Minnetonka | I thought the TE stood for Tournament Edition... apparently not.
Thanks all for the input. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 389
Location: Corning, Iowa | I have it in both elbows, bad enough, that I can't button a shirt, or button bibs. The left one is the worst. If it locks up, just roll the tendon back in place, and keep going. An arm brace is very good, along with a shot. If you can, get a brace that has plastic on the top, and bottom. I don't think it ever goes away, you just learn what your limitations are. Good luck Doug |
|
| |
|
Location: The Yahara Chain | Although Mrs. Clemens recommends B12.... I would rest it and look at some HGH.
Some simple R and R can do wonders. Rest and roids.
Edited by Bytor 2/25/2008 5:24 PM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | I don't mean to scare you with what I am going to tell you, but a friend of mine in college had the same type of pain. He lifted weights quite a bit, but the pain was so bad he quit for a while. He did some of the same things you guys have been saying and the pain didn't go away. He went to the doctor and they found a tumor or growth of some sort on his elbow. He had surgery to have it removed and everything was fine after that. If none of the remedies mentioned above help I'd get it checked out. Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Had it for a year(switched casting hands because of it) and the only thing that worked for me was ice on the bad tendon. You have to find the exact spot that the pain starts from near the elbow and ice until you can not stand it anymore and then 10 minutes longer. At least 3 times a day, more the better. The arm band with a little airbag(hard to find) in it put in the right spot is also needed. All the drugs did me no good but could work for you, this is what worked for me. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1286
Location: WI | Did you guys hear about the new Dbl 13 blades? heheh. As if normal musky fishing wasn't work enough... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 880
Location: New Berlin,Wisconsin,53151 | There's a armband that you can get at any sports store that puts pressure on the forearm tendon and is suppose to releave the pain. The one that the nurse gave me to use is called a "BANDIT", try that for some comfort when fishing. The real cure is to try and strengthen the arm with some excersizes for the area of concern. The method that I used was a 4ft piece of rope tied to a dowel on one end and to a bucket on the other. You roll the dowel until the bucket is off the floor, adding weight to the bucket as your arm strengthens. Try this before the season starts, it should help.
Bruce |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2
| I've had it for 20 years in both elbows and all of these suggestions are good and will help the one thing I learned was to protect the joint. When I first found out what it was I didn't pick up anything heavier then a soup can and kept the elbows pinned to my sides as best as possible. As the pain subsided and I had more freedom of movement I started lifting but with low weights and kept the elbows pinned. I have free range of motion now and I very seldom have pain and I am able to lift 4-6 times a week. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 43
Location: Warrenville,IL | I got hit with it really bad on the last trip. By wednesday ( at about the 100 esox mark) I was laughing because it hurt so much. When another one would jump the lure, the pain was excruciating!!! With 3 days to go, I resorted to throwing lures with a pitching wedge golf swing. It's a very accurate cast when you get it down and just as powerfull as an overhand.
Golf swing. Try it. It'll keep you chucking huge baits for days.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 561
Location: Monee, Illinois | What is a Wedge swing? The golf swing is the same regarless if you have a driver in your hand or a wedge....But yes the golf swing will let you throw big baits all day long. Anyway I had it during my playing days and the best thing for it is rest and the arm band. In golf the clubs impact with the ground has a very bad affect on your tennis elbow so I wore the band towards the end of my days.....Seemed to work well....It will come back evey once and a while but then it is time to rest.....
Edited by pgaschulz 2/26/2008 9:44 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 785
| JKahler - 2/26/2008 12:45 AM
Did you guys hear about the new Dbl 13 blades? heheh. As if normal musky fishing wasn't work enough...
HAHAHA, I just ordered 4 of them... and a new pounder! Can you say ouch.
Thanks to all for your tips and advice, I will be printing this thread out and using the tips you all provided. I also feel hope knowing so many of you have been afflicted with tennis elbow and have gotten through it.
Its funny becouse last night I left work early and rushed to the hospital (1 and a half hour drive) through a blizzard to be with my mother who is watching over my step dad. Sunday night he was rushed to the ER with blood clots in his lungs and legs and was in extreme agony. Being with him and later that night trying to sleep on a couch in the hospital lobby I came to grips with how minor my tennis elbow really is in comparison. I've been worried sick about my musky season being in jeopardy but know I am just glad to be healthy overall and hoping and praying for my step dads health... funny how a persons perspective can be changed so suddenly. As he gets better here though I'll be looking into seeing a specialist and in the mean time will become religous about ice/ibuprofen/arm brace/and other tips provided here. Again BIG thanks to all.
Andy Swinton
Edited by musky-skunk 2/26/2008 2:12 PM
|
|
| |
|
Location: 31 | Andy, typing and using the computer mouse used to be really bad for my tendinitis too. I learned use the mouse with my left hand and installed a voice activated software on my computer so I don't have to type as much anymore... maybe that's why I have such long winded posts eh'. You can also say words like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious... and they automatically get spelled correctly
Anyway, years of casting for muskies has certainly created serious problems for my tendinitis elbow pain... using a top water bait called the chugger was the number one culprit... I bet big bladed bucktail are equally as bad for it.
Anymore I religiously wear those carpal tunnel wrist braces without the metal inserts as well as those elbow braces on both arms whenever I'm casting. Even if you don't have elbow problems, these braces will support those vital joints and extend your days fishing.
I'll throw together another thread that you sufferers may find of interest... good luck with your recovery. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 185
Location: Pound, WI | All of you should be seeing chiropractors. I can't tell you how many people I help out of elbow issues......golfers, fishermen, farmers, guys from the lumber mill, mechanics.
Brian |
|
| |
|
Location: 31 | If you're suffering I can add something else you may want to consider... I'm unfortunately somewhat of an expert when it comes to dealing with tennis elbow pain. There are obviously different levels of discomfort and normally resting the joint, the elbow brace and some simple exercises can help to relieve the problem.
Exercise: There's a bunch of different exercises you can do but far and away the easiest and most effective exercise I've found is locking your elbow and bending your fingers straight back for a nice elbow tendon stretch. I do this all the time while driving or working at the computer by placing my fingers on the bottom of the steering wheel or desk and pushing. I normally do this exercise twice on each elbow, two or three times a day for about 30 seconds per session. I also keep one of those gripper hand exercisers in my car and use that as I drive around, generally I just squeeze and hold the hand exerciser collapsed for about 10-to 15 seconds about 10 times each hand. The real beauty of these two exercises are you can do them while rolling around.
Cortisone shot: Sometimes my right elbow has become so painful and I became so desperate that a cortisone shot was the only answer. I've maybe had six shots total over the years and the relief is immediate and lasts for about three-six months. One word of caution I have is to remember that this does not repair the problem, it only relieves the pain… so it's easy to go right back and continue to overdo it and make the problem worse down the road.
Shockwave medical procedure: This is a fairly new procedure that I have had done twice now. Basically they direct mechanical shock waves at the inflamed elbow area, thereby aggravating it so that it will heal back stronger. I think the success rate is something like 70-80%, it worked like a miracle for me after about a three to six-month recovery. I still have a bit of problem with the elbow from time to time and continue to religiously do my exercises and wear the brace as needed, however the benefits from this procedure were truly remarkable.
A good explanation of the problem and procedure can be found at, http://www.shockwavesystems.com/elbow.htm
I had this medical procedure done by Troy Berg M.D. Eau Claire Wisconsin 715-832-1400. http://www.cvosm.com/dr_berg.html
To say I was totally impressed with Troy and his staff is very much the understatement - absolutely top shelf professionals. I live in Woodstock Illinois and had to drive six hours one way to his office even though United Shockwave is located close tomy home. http://www.unitedshockwave.com/locations.htm
The procedure is fairly new in the United States and cost something like $750., unfortunately most health insurance will not cover... but it's worth every penny! I hope this helps... if anyone has any questions feel free to e-mail me, happy to help. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 531
Location: Hugo, MN | If you can find a GOOD chiropractor who practices ART (Active Release Technique), he/she can take care of it fairly easily. Over time your tendons suffer many small injuries. As you heal, scar tissue forms to some extent. When you suffer repetitive injuries in the same area, the tendon will become less flexible. This makes re-injury likely. The solution to this is to have the area worked through a natural range of motion while pressure is applied in specific places, which then breaks the myofascial adhesions (scar tissue). This increases range of motion and decreases inflammation and swelling in just a few visits, usually. I learned about it from a bunch of powerlifters, who swear by it. A.R.T. is used by most professional sports team chiropractors/ trainers. It can be used on literally any overuse injury, but also works wonders on old injuries that were never treated properly, and tend to flare up easily. Do a search for it and see if there is a provider near you. It's worth a shot. |
|
| |
