Q: tendinitis in of both elbows
Hi, Lisa,
I can relate to the chronic tendonitis. I have had tendonitis so long that I have little cysts along my tendons. Ugh. I have to say that since I am getting my RA under control, my tendonitis and bursitis has been muc better. Still, they both "flare" sometimes. I have been through PT and done all the exercises. While they help a bit at the time, they do not keep my tendonitis from coming back. Here is what I do: I wear the wrist and elbow braces, especially at night. I use a rice bag I made out of a tube sock that I zap in the microwave for a minute and then wrap it around my forearms. That rice bag brings me a lot of relief! If the pain and swelling persists, I increase my prednisone by 5 mg a day until it subsides. I think you should talk to your doc about your options. I am just sharing what I do that helps. Hope you get some relief soon!
V
Lisa...I really wish you could try wrapping a rice bag around your forearms in the evening. The heat is moist and it feels so good and eases the pain more than anything I have tried. Do you have a rice bag? They are easy to make. The ones I wrap around my arms are made from mens' white tube socks.....cotton, of course. Just fill a tube sock half to three quarters full of rice. I buy the big cheap bag of rice at Dollar Geneal. Then tie it off on the end. Throw it in the microwave for 45 seconds and it is ready to go. They drape around the neck well, too. Ahhhhhhhhh.
V
You do make it sound real comforting I will try that I have a hot tub and that is how I feel when I get in it Ahhhhhh :) Thanks
HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Hey Lisa
Elbow tendonitis can be difficult to get rid of. Here is a simple stretching exercise that may help. Let your arm hang down beside your leg in a relaxed position. With the palm facing behind you, bend your wrist as far as you can as if you were carrying a bucket by the handle. Hold this position and then try to make a fist. You should feel a stretch in the elbow tendon (if the problem is on the outter surface of the elbow). Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat 5 times. If it seems to help do the exercise about 5 times daily to keep the tendon stretched out. With a chronic problem like yours the tendon tends to get scarred down so when you use it the flare up returns. After a few days start some light strengthening exercises with about one pound of weight. Rest your forearm on a table with the hand hanging over the edge. Hold the weight and slowly pull it up as far as your wrist allows. Don't raise the forearm off of the table. If this works okay try 10 repetitions. Gradually increase the weight and repetition up to 20 reps as you can tolerate.
If the elbow straps are helping you may want to continue using them for awhile. Ice or heat may help as well. This routine should gradually make you better. If it makes you worse don't force it.
Good Luck
Thanks for the advice Chuck I will try those exercises I will try anything to keep from taking more meds since they make me feel like crap all the time.I have been through a lot of PT this past year from my fall on my wrist and shoulder as well so now its my elbows I still have some good days and I'll continue to work hard for those good days Thanks again
Hey Lisa
I hope the suggestions will help you. The heat can be great, but be sure and do the exercises too so you are treating the problem and not just the symptoms.
The exercises will take time but they also have the best chance of giving you long term relief.
Oh, just in case I confused you when you place your forearm on the table for strengthening your fingers should be hanging towards the floor.
Good Luck
thanks hun I will try it .So nice to talk to people that understand. Happy Thanksgiving and much more :)
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Thank you for your advice I will keep trying I have been doing some of the things that you do except sleeping in the braces on my elbows I will try that I don'e always sleep very well at night but I will try that I tell my doc. about it but it is like talking to a wall I know he can't cure me but he is just like yea well that comes with the territory I think I am going to change docs. too Thanks a lot hun for the advice