Bad elbow pain

G

GangsterBritishPirate

New member
I couldn't find a section for joint or elbow problems, so I'm posting this here.

One day, I was using a hand shovel to dig a deep hole. When I was getting to the deepest part, I was reaching down far enough that my whole arm was pretty much straight as I was digging and getting the last dirt up. That seems to put a strain on the elbow, as I have had trouble with it ever since. It’s been about 2 months now.

At this point, it really aches when I move it, but not always. If I’m holding my arm in one place, such as when using a computer mouse for awhile, and then bend my arm, it really hurts. Also, if I press on the side of the elbow on a certain spot, it also hurts. It seems to hurt over a wider area when it aches from movement. The pain also comes when I move it in different ways, but not consistently. I mean, I move it a certain way one time and it really hurts, but if I do it again right after, then it doesn’t hurt, but will then hurt when I move it a different way. I hope that makes sense!

I could also point out that I do weight lifting workouts, and it actually doesn't hurt all that much when I workout, which is kind of ironic.

I can’t figure out if this is a joint pain or a muscle pain. I’m surprised it hasn’t gone away or improved by now, and that has me concerned. Does anyone have an idea what this is?
 
You said the pain to touch is more on the outside of the elbow? You probably have lateral epicondylitis...if the same area on the inside hurts it's called medial epicondylitis. It's basically an inflammation of the area on the sides of the elbow where the tendons either go in or come out of the bone end.

If you can get to a doc, a cortisone shot in the area really helps. If you don't get it treated, it can eventually cause the tendons to scar and cause your arm to freeze partially bent. My idiot brother-in-law did that...wouldn't go for a shot. I also get it on both sides of my elbows from another problem but it's very common with tennis players and baseball players.

So see a doc and get it treated and once you get a shot, don't use it for a few days...no weights or anything...so the cortisone can work it's magic. Anti-inflammatories really don't work very well in that area as it has a poor blood supply. Splinting it just makes it freeze up more.

good luck...............Jenny
 
Thanks Jenny! I was afraid it might be a joint problem or something requiring surgery. I did make an appointment for tomorrow at 8:10am. This is getting so painful that I try not to use my right arm for much of anything anymore. Kind of scary!

Oh yeah, it hurts when I press on on spot on the right side, facing away from my body.

I'll report back on what the doc says.
 
As promised, here's my post-appointment update.

Jenny, you were exactly right! It is lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow. I was told to do certain stretches and also use and ice pack on it. Apparently, all the arm muscles connect to that one spot on the side of the elbow where I have the pain.
I asked about the corisol shot, but she didn't think it was serious enough or that the shot would do any good.
 
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