Author Topic: Elbow Tendonitis. (Read 1650 times)

Warthog · « **on:** February 20, 2004, 03:19:15 AM »

I suffer from a relatively sever case of tendonitis in my right elbow. I've had physical therapy with little results and I'm afraid it may be a condidition I just have to live with. I hunt with a Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter and after a day in the field, my arm hurts terribly. Do any of you have this problem and, if so, do you have anything you do to prevent or relieve the pain?

Thanks for your help.

C A Plater · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2004, 04:26:27 AM »

I had a similar condition several years ago. I injured it lifting something out of the back of my old Bronco. The good new is it does heal. The bad news is it took a long time to heal, many months. Two things helped. One was prescription strenght Ketoprofin. That reduced the inflamation and took away a lot of pain. The other was an arm band that helped keep the tendon from moving around so much and preventing more irritation of the tendon.

Best of luck.

jhalcott · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2004, 08:14:23 AM »

use a brace to keep the tendon from moving around and consider going to a milder load or gun..T he more you aggravate the injury the longer, If ever, it will take to heal.

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2004, 11:01:03 AM »

I know it's not funny I've had it and it hurts all of the time . I would suggest two things. First when you get home from the field put an ice pack on the area and leave it at least 30 minutes it will keep the tendon sheath from inflaming further and usually reduces the swelling of the tendon sheath some. Second , if you cant get a prescription , just use 600 Mg Advil --ibpropen, twice a day . If you have a doc who can prescribe it for you get one of the non steroid antiinflamatory compounds. Celebrex has worked very well for me . I know there are several others out there but I've had good luck with Celebrex. You should always take any of the antiinflamatories with some food in your stomach , they can be very irritating to your stomach lining and cause some mucosal bleeding in some people or just give you an upset stomach. Good luck on your elbow and use the ice it's really good treatment for inflamation.

gunbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2004, 05:28:03 AM »

Had that problem myself for a couple of years. Must have been to many 44 mags. Or maybe the 454. Any how a strap type brace just forward of the elbow helped. But what cured it was learning to use the left hand. Was a real battle but now I can shoot with either with good results.
Just my cure.

Tom W. · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2004, 02:46:18 PM »

No, it isn't the most pleasant thing to have. I have it in both elbows, but the shooting hand is the worst.I too use the armband to stabilize the tendons, as I really don't want surgery. My doctor prescribed 800 mgs. of ibuprofen, three times a day with food. I wear that armband every day so I can function at work, and don't shoot the handguns or go fishing without it. I can still shoot my big bores, and shoot them in long sessions, but sometimes the next day the elbow lets me know I've overdone it.

S.S. · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2004, 06:55:49 AM »

I feel for ya'
I was drilling a 3/4 hole through a block wall,
"Bit stopped, Drill didn't" !
Not your average whimpy drill either!
It tore my wrist up pretty bad!
That was several years ago and I am
wearing a brace on it as I type this!
I asked the doctor if it would make it worse to
continue shooting ---"Yes"
So If I don't will it get Better ---"Nope"
So I am Basically screwed right --- "yep"

The damage will not cost me the use of my
hand, It just hurts like crazy.
I still shoot a lot, but I limit my heavy caliber pistols
to hunting season mostly. (try shooting a bow,that will
really make it feel good :eek: )
Also. Watch taking too many of those anti-inflamatories
they can really mess your stomach up!

Warthog · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2004, 02:37:53 PM »

Thanks for all of the responses. I'm wearing the band below the elbow now and I certainly notice a difference at work. I haven't tried the revolver yet. Maybe this weekend or next. I've got two more physical therapy sessions and I'm done with that. I wish the therapy helped more. I sure feel like I've been spinning my wheels. Who knows, though. Maybe it will really help in the long run. Thanks again.

volshooter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2004, 04:51:09 PM »

I too suffer from this condition, have been for 15 years. Now the worst news... it will come back many times when you think you've got it beat. It's not uncommon for it to flare up 2 times a year. Sometimes it can take as little as lifting a 12 pack! All the above responses above will help, but once you get it you can get it over and over. The only way to try to prevent it from ever happing again is to use the other arm as much as possible. After 25 years of construction work, one rotator cup shot, the other close behind (that arm is suffering from the same condition as you are now), I'm starting to think my warrenty has run out on this body. I once heard that getting old is not for sissys.....NOW I KNOW IT'S TRUE!
Keep a brace on as much as possible and learn to use you good arm as much as you can and you'll get by just fine.
Rick

Quote

Getting old suks!

bobthenailer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2004, 02:05:19 AM »

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SEVERAL YEARS AGO I WAS SHOOTING IN MATCHES 3 DAYS A WEEK , I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP SHOOTING BUT ANOTHER SHOOTER I RAN INTO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE USED A PNEUMATIC ARMBAND FOR TENNIS ELBOW MADE BY AIRCAST SUMMIT NJ/USA (800-526-8785 ) THEY RUN FROM 15 TO 25 DOLLARS DEPENDING WHERE YOU BY THEM, A MEDICAL SUPPLY IN MY AREA SOLD THEM FOR 15 DOLLARS AND A PHARMACY WAS 25 DOLLARS, THEY ARE NOT ALALIBLE IN MOST STORES BUT THE MEDICAL SUPPLY ALLWAYS HAD THEM. AFTER USEING I KNOW I MUST OF BOUGHT AT LEAST 15 OF THEM FOR OTHER SHOOTERS WHO WERE ALSO SUFFERING WITH TENNIS ELBOW AND ALL REPORTED POSTIVE RESULTS BUT IT TAKES AWHILE USEING IT TO HEAL THE PROBLEM, I HAVENT USED MINE IN YEARS , GOOD LUCK BOB

ras308 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2004, 02:45:38 AM »

As all the rest of you, I have tendonitis in my elbows, shoulders and fingers!!! I have taken anti-inflammatories, etc., etc., the only thing that really helped, was steriods??? I have found that over-the-counter coral calcium really seems to help. Sometimes when it gets unbearable, I do take some motrin, but I hate to take too much, my liver gets a good enough work-over w/o all the pain killers!!! The doctor even had me quit shooting my bow for 3 months, didn't help. I shot fingers for 30 years, finally had to go to a release, but it did get me a new Icon!!!

HHI 812 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2004, 08:50:40 AM »

this guy "might" have something? http://carpaltunnelfix.com/
I also have the same problem since I started my new job, and its really bugging me too! Haven't shot any of the big stuff for a while, and with it hurting now, may have to avoid too heavy stuff. :cry:

ras308 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2004, 09:15:04 AM »

Does anyone know someone who has tried this??? My knees and elbows hurt so bad sometime that I can't sleep, but I'm afraid of getting taken for the $90+.

BRL · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2004, 06:39:44 AM »

All of the above posts give good advice. Unfortunately, once the injury occurs, you will always be prone to it. I like to take the ibuprofen the day I am going to shoot, play golf, work in the yard...what ever. I take 600mg with breakfast and 600mg after my shooting session, or what ever activity. I would also recommend ice right after the activity, weather it hurts then or not, this is key. Ice for 15 minutes then wait 15 minutes, then ice 15 minutes again. This will definitely help to prevent the onset of inflammation and pain. Most people wait until they feel pain to start treating it...then it's too late. It is much easier to prevent a flair up than it is to make it go away. Also, certain dietary supplements help. You can find MSM at any health food store...use it! It is critical for joint and tendon health. I take (1) 1,000 mg capsule 3 times a day EVERYDAY. Vitamin C, 500 mg 3 times a day. Glucosamine, 250 mg 3 times a day. Most "joint" supplements do not contain enough in them to be effective. I like to buy the ingredients separately. Consistency is the key. The body needs these compounds EVERYDAY to keep the tendons and joints healthy and pain free. After 1 month of taking just the 3 items I mentioned, I bet most of you see a difference. Good luck. Let me know.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2004, 06:31:01 AM »

I landed on my right elbow years ago after jumping over some bushes, while drinking. Big mistake, much discomfort; until I bought Echinacea at Wal Mart and started taking them three at a time after excercsing. Big help, even though that one bone is still swollen in that right elbow.

I also have less problem shooting a 5 1/2" SBH, as compared to the 7 1/2" Bisley with its longer barrel time and greater velocities. This is especially noticeable off the bench.

The Echinacea is Wal Mart's generic, I guess you'd say. It really helps.

Take care.

Whopper Stopper · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2004, 11:44:48 PM »

I had it in my wrist,very painful. Thanks to a brace I wore all the time mine went away after about a year.

Flash · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2004, 12:55:01 PM »

Have you asked your doctor about a cortizone shot? A buddy of mine had the same thing in his elbow and the shot made the pain go away for good.

Warthog · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2004, 06:27:05 AM »

After many X-rays, pokes, prods and MRIs, two seperate neurologists tell me I'm screwed. I have herniated discs between C3-C4, C4-C5, C5-C6, and the disc between C6-C7 has collapsed. They tell me they can do surgery to correct the cause, but it won't fix the problem. the nerve damage is to severe. Right now, everything turns into pain management. I get three epidurals (sp?) to start, and I'm taking an anti epilepsy drug to try to knock down the pain. Some report, huh? Handgun hunting's pretty much out as is benchrest shooting of any kind. The doctors tell me as long as it doesn't hurt to shoot rifles, I probably wouldn't do any more damage than has already been done, so that's one bit of comfort. The real kicker is that it's degenerative, so there's a very good (bad) chance the it will continue right on down the spine. I start the shots next week, so I'm heading to the range as soon as I'm numb. Hey, I might as well make lemonade, right? Ya'll take care.

Tom W. · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2004, 05:32:04 PM »

Sounds like you have DJD or DDD. My wife has it, and the neurontin helps some, but she still has to get additional prescription pain relievers. I can sympathize with you, and our prayers will go out for you.

gunbuster · « **Reply #19 on:** May 21, 2004, 06:06:08 AM »

Had that problem myself. Little brace on arm helped, some. What fixed it was shooting left handed, was normally right handed. You know, now pain is gone, and I can shoot just as well with either hand. Took a while but it can be done, learning to shoot with other side.

Wildcat Crazy · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2004, 02:41:51 AM »

Before I retired ,I suffered from tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
When it was explained that the cause of both problems was inflamation,I started taking vitamin B complex,within a few days the problem would go away.When I took the vitamin B complex regularly,I had no problems,but if
I forgot to take it for a week or so my pain came back.

WC

tubbythetuba · « **Reply #21 on:** May 25, 2004, 06:04:04 PM »

I had pain in both elbows that could not be relieved, so they said, except by surgery. While in a farm store, I saw a bottle of DMSO and remembered how it used to be popular for aches and pain. I was at work and avoiding my left arm and I rubbed it on and the pain declined at once. It smells bad and makes your breath stink and "they" say it's not that good for ya, but I healed my elbows and knees with it. They use it on race horses and human athletes, so I'd guess that once in awhile it's ok to use.

billybob hunter · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2004, 03:01:51 PM »

I suffered with tendonitis for a few years and finally decided that I could kill any game I wanted with much smaller bullets and that I wasn't less of a man if I shot smaller calibers.

I now live totally pain free and wouldn't ever go back to loudenboomers.

This condition is a little known problem for most heavy caliber shooters.

To me it just wasn't worth it.

A self professed recoil sissy....

$bob$

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2004, 09:04:13 PM »

About that ibuprophen. Long term use of heavy doses of the stuff can ruin your kidneys (can you say "dialysis"?).

stuffit · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2004, 08:09:48 PM »

This condition is started by a loosening (read - tearing) of the fibrous tissue that attaches a certain muscle in your elbow to the bone. Tennis players were often troubled by it and hence the name. The tissue is, by its nature, slow healing, and because of this, the problem often becomes chronic. It's initial cause, and the factors that perpetuate it are always part of the life style of the person with the condition. And lifestyles being what they are, are nigh impossible to change without great dedication and effort. There are several approaches to treatment. Anti - inflammatory medications (as steroids and NSAIDS ) are transiently effective but do nothing to augment the healing process. Injection with local steroids can increase the pain over the short term, but this has the beneficial effect of forcing the patient to stop the activity that is causing the condition. The surgery does essentially the same thing. It and the immobilization that follows it, force the patient to stop the aggravating activity. Probably a short arm cast or other form of simple immobilization would work just as well. So "therapy" does help, but when the patient believes he is cured (almost always much too soon) and resumes the "lifestyle" activity that brought the problem on in the first place, it inevitably recurs.
The contributor above who recommending using the off hand for most activities for an indefinite period of time has the right idea. Nothing other than TLC, a good long period of immobilization, and dedicated avoidance of the motions and actions that started the trouble will lead to a long term "cure" . But it can be resolved. It's just that us human critters really, really don't like to change the way we do things. I have seen recommendations of high doses of Vitamin C to support the healing of the damaged connective tissue, and I think it does help, but it's definitely not a cure-all. It does focus the patient's attention on the healing process and that is more than half the battle. But don't despair. Most folks who finally realize that sometimes we just have to start doing things a little differently generally become symptom free and often stay that way. Good luck and good shooting.

stuffit