Hey Mike…. I feel for you on the elbow tendonitis…. Very painful, and can be a nagging, long-term affliction.
I’ve had it for two years, alternating between the left and right side. It all started in the spring of 2003 when I went to the batting cages with my son. It was a pretty cool day, and without warming up, took a whack at about 50 fastballs. Two days later I had extreme burning pain just below my right elbow. I brushed it off and figured it’d feel better within a week. Ha! It probably didn’t help that I type and use the mouse 8-9 hours a day. Click your mouse and watch the tendon/muscle twitch just below the elbow on the outside of your forearm.
Riding really aggravated it too. So did brushing my teeth and unzipping my drawers. Twist a screwdriver? Fuggitaboutit! The constant clenching on the handlebars while riding just caused more inflammation, swelling, and damage to the tendon. The tendons are like new rubber bands when we’re young; pliable and springy. As we age, the tendons loose their elasticity and don’t stretch as well. Instead stretching, they snap, tear, and fray, which causes blood to flow to the area, which inflames them. They need a lot of rest to fully heal (if at all), which is pretty hard when you’re always using your hands.
I saw 2 specialists, and finally had a cortisone injection. At first, the cortisone looks like a golf ball-sized lump below your elbow, and then shrinks as it’s absorbed into your system. I felt 1000% relief within 3-5 days of the injection. But, I kept riding and using it, so the relief was short-lived. The cortisone is just to help the area heal; it doesn’t cure it, and actually can be detrimental if you get 2-3 shots in the same area. It got to the point that shaking hands with someone would almost bring me to my knees in tears, literally. For the few days after a riding weekend, the arm was so sore and painful I couldn’t bend it, and I was popping IB like M&Ms.
Also tried a 4 month prescription of a strong anti-inflammatory drug, along with 3 months of physical therapy. The PT cost me $700, and didn’t do a damn bit of good. The tendonitis was also starting in my left elbow, and for no apparent reason. The anti-inflammatory did help some, but I don’t think it cured it (the script ran out this past fall). For whatever reason, over this past winter it has felt better then it has in a long time. Don’t know why for sure, but I hope it sticks. I’d rather have another broken collarbone and be out for 3 months than put up with tendonitis for 2 years. And I’m staying away from batting cages!
Fred - Interesting read on that DISH disorder. Hope your testing helps you get some treatment real soon.