Lateral & Medial Epicondylitis

Or in laymens terms Tennis and Golf Elbow/Tendonitis.
This has been going on since 1997, since the injury forced me to quit my job as a dental hygienist. At that time, I had the usual treatment - PT, OT, steroid injections, ultrasound, iontophoresis, massage, heat/ice, antiinflammatory meds, TIger Balm, Biofreez, etc. There have been minor flareups since that time, but within the last 12 months it got bad enough that I went through PT again. Relief was temporary, even w/ stretching, ice/heat, trying to use L hand more. And it is currently back in full force :mad: very annoying.

Has anyone had surgery for this? Or known anyone that has had surgery, or another type of therapy that gives more long-term results?

thanks
Janet
P.S. I posted up last year about back pain/riding. Took a year off the bike, did LOTS of PT, water therapy, core training, and am now racing again :D not totally pain-free but way better!!!

Have you identified the cause? I had it, but not as badly as you, and it came from typing and mostly mousing too much. It was in my right arm (I'm right handed). I had PT for about six months and had to cut way down on my typing, which was hard because I'm a grant writer so I had to type and mouse.

I considered getting voice recognition software, but the PT and rest helped. The biggest help, however, was switching the mouse to my left hand, and taking frequent breaks from typing. And continuing with my PT exercises even after I stopped going to the PT.

It seems like if you can figure out the cause, you can the action that is causing the the irritation and inflammation, and maybe you can avoid surgery.

Part of the probelm is (like you) I am on a computer all day. Mouse use is with both L and R hands, and it is a trackball. Also have the ergo curved keyboard. I take breaks as often as possible, at least once per hour. Whenever I attempt to do something repetitive even for short time periods, it flares up. And then takes weeks to subside. I do the PT stretches, not quite daily, but close. It seems as though all these things help keep it at bay, but do not get rid of it, which is what the goal is. Not sure that goal is even attainable.....wondered if anyone else has it this badly.

Setting my track pad up to tap-click, so I never have to use the button, helps both my wrist and elbow.

What is a trackpad? Is it on a MAC?

Otherwise known as a touch pad. I'm on a Mac, but lots of Windows boxes have them too, or you can add on a USB track pad.

A physical therapist massaged mine, I think the result was breaking or loosening the sheath. It hurt like hell, but after that I became nearly pain free.Most of the time. Humidity sets it off.