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Post by philbarker on Jun 12, 2011 10:31:43 GMT
I am fairly certain I have this and that it is down to too much playing. I know the easy answer is to cut down – but I don’t want to. I’m going to start treatment by using a heat lamp and see how that goes. Has anyone had a similar experience or can give advice? Thanks PhilB
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Post by stratomaster on Jun 12, 2011 10:59:32 GMT
I wouldn't have thought that just regular guitar playing would cause olecranon bursitis, unless maybe you were playing the rhythm to the Savage eight hours a day ;D
Is there another activity you are involved with that would be a more likely cause?
James.
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Post by philbarker on Jun 12, 2011 11:07:59 GMT
Thank you James I was going to bracket that I didn't want any wisecracks - so I'm glad at least that that one is out the way!!!!! I thought the medical term for tennis elbow was lateral epicondylitis?? Phil
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Post by grip on Jun 12, 2011 11:57:29 GMT
Hi Phil,
Have you thought of trying a tube bandage on your elbow to give a little more support whilst playing? I hope the problem soon clears for you.
Kind regards,
Chris
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2011 12:16:13 GMT
Hi Phil, yes I have had this as a direct result of playing. But it was under extreme conditions. My partner and I in our duo played a 12 hour marathon to raise money for the special care baby unit at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. We took a 5 min. break every hour so in total we played and sang for 11 hours. I thought my voice might go, but that was ok. It was my left arm I had trouble with ,from constantly gripping the neck. As you can imagine, a lot of doctors and nurses attended. I was advised by one of them to see my GP if the swelling didn't go down. It didn't and I ended up having a cortisone injection, which did the trick. It was worth the trouble, we raised nearly £500. (A lot of money in 1989).
Regards, Graham
Foot note to Grips suggestion, the neoprene sports supports for elbow, knee joints and that sort of thing are excellent. Available from sports shops but, cheaper from Argos, online shops and E-bay
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Post by philbarker on Jun 12, 2011 12:19:47 GMT
Thanks Chris I perhaps should have added that I have been using an elbow support strap but it didn't seem to do much other than restrict movement. I used to play tennis, squash etc but have not done so now for several years and I never had this sort of problem then. I don't play any other sports now or games that involve fairly repetitive elbow movement other than guitar. Regards Phil
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Post by philbarker on Jun 12, 2011 12:25:04 GMT
Thanks Graham It is in fact my right arm that's the problem, I am right-handed but there is no swelling or anything and research on the web makes me 99% certain it is lateral epicondylitis - sounds better than tennis elbow!! If the heat lamp doesn't work after a week or so then I may pay my GP a visit. Regards Phil
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2011 12:41:53 GMT
Hi Phil another alternative is, heat pads or cold packs. I prefer cold packs which are in the form of reusable gel packs which you put in the freezer. I use them for lower back pain, resulting from slipping a disc 4 times over the years. Or you can get individual stick on cold patches which give the effect of a local anesthetic. All the above available from pharmacies. I get mine from the pharmacy in my local Sainsburys store
Regards, Graham
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Post by DaveC on Jun 12, 2011 14:31:58 GMT
Hi Phil,
If it is "Tennis Elbow" then you've got an inflammation of one of the tendons where it attaches to the bone.
Step 1: Establish what's causing the inflammation and STOP DOING IT! Step 2: If possible immobilise the arm, i.e. wear a sling as much as possible to prevent you using the arm without thinking. Step 3: If you must use the arm then get a special support and wear it. These supports are not the same as the tubular bandages: they are shaped straps (usually oval or cup-shaped) that put pressure on the forearm muscles and transfer the strain to a different tendon.
If you do this as soon as possible (and don't try to rush the healing process) then the inflammation should subside and you'll be able to go back to playing normally.
Regards DaveC
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Post by shadfan4 on Jun 12, 2011 22:00:03 GMT
Two years ago I suffered a shoulder and elbow injury during a training session, I had "lateral epicondilitis" and was booked for physio for a few weeks which involved various dfferent excersises using broom handles behind the back and stretchy rubber sheet. The excersises should be available by Googling but see a Dr first to ensure no further damage. At my age it took a few months to get back to normal. I don't think strapping the joint up is good as it needs the tendons to be excersised to repair.
The shoulder still nags me occasionally during weight training still, but the "elbow" is now ok.
Mike.
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Post by philbarker on Jun 13, 2011 9:01:01 GMT
Thanks very much to all above. I have started using a heat lamp called, "Biolamp". It's quite an expensive contraption that my wife bought to try and improve her back problem. Although I have only had 2 sessions so far with it, so far so good. Once again thanks for the contributions - never considered using a cold pack- will look into that if the lamp doesn't work.
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TonyL
Member
Vintage stuff
Posts: 190
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Post by TonyL on Jun 13, 2011 12:12:25 GMT
Hi Phil
I'm in exactly the same position as you, I've had 'the elbow' for about 8 weeks now and all I can put it down to is playing the guitar. I notised that it started around the time that I started re-learning FBI (after about 40 years) specifically the muted sections.
I use Voltarol gel 4 times a day and the condition has improved alot. As I'm in the UK for 5 weeks I have an enforced rest so I'll see what happens when I get back home. I believe that it is a condition that mainly repairs itself but can take up to 2 years.
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Post by philbarker on Jun 14, 2011 15:41:17 GMT
Thanks for your response Tony My problem started about 2 months ago as well. I've noted the gel you are using and hope it does the job. regards Phil
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Post by DaveC on Jun 14, 2011 16:11:46 GMT
Hi Phil,
I've copied this from the BUPA website. The italics are mine.
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Treatment of tennis elbow
To make a full recovery, you will need to change the way you use your arm so that your tendon is rested and has time to heal. How you do this will depend on how your tennis elbow developed and how severe it is. Self-help You can treat your symptoms yourself if you have mild tennis elbow. Some of the main self-help treatments are described below.
Rest. The most important part of your treatment is to rest your injured tendon and elbow by stopping or changing the activity that is causing the problem.
Apply a cold compress to reduce your pain. You can use a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel as soon as you feel any pain. Hold this against your elbow for 10 minutes every two hours. In the days that follow an injury you can use the ice pack for 10 minutes twice a day. Don't apply ice directly to your skin as it can damage your skin.
Wear strapping or a splint. You can wear strapping or a splint around your forearm and elbow to help restrict the movement of your tendon and relieve the strain. Some people find that this helps, although there is no evidence to show how well it works. You can buy arm braces and supports from some physiotherapists, larger pharmacies and sports shops. Don't wear any strapping or a splint continuously - you should leave it off at night time.
Change the action that caused the problem. If the problem developed as a result of an activity at work, contact your employer's occupational health advisers, if available, or speak with your employer. They can give advice on how to change the activity that caused the problem, allowing your arm to heal.
--------------------------
Please don't persist with trying to work through the pain. You may make the damage much worse and eventually have to resort to corticosteroids and/or surgery.
Regards DaveC
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Post by philbarker on Jun 14, 2011 16:31:45 GMT
Thanks Dave for the input.
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Post by SteveBGuitarist on Jun 15, 2011 16:10:00 GMT
Hi Phil, I suffered with tennis elbow for a couple of years when I was doing a job assembling furniture. constant use of an electric drill was the cause of mine. I no longer do that job and the problem has now gone away although it took some time. But playing guitar has never effected it. Usually it is to do with gripping things repeatedly. I hope you get it sorted soon as I know first hand how painful it can be. Best Wishes Regards Steve B
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