Tendinitis Sucks

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By John G

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  • 13 Replies
  1. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    Who else here has had to deal with a bad case of tendinitis? I started having pain in my right elbow in June. I took a few weeks off from playing but the pain didn't go away. Tried playing again in July, and between that one round and a couple of other things that happened in the following days, went to go see a doctor. That was the last time I've touched a golf club. After 6 weeks of physical therapy, I still have pain on the inside and outside of my elbow and can't fully grip anything without pain. I'm going to see an orthopedic specialist next week, which is what my Dr. should have referred me to in the first place. At this point, I don't see myself playing for the rest of this year. It's been tough.

  2. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    I had a similar problem with my right elbow 7 years ago, only I made the mistake of trying to fight through it for a year. It got so bad that there were days I couldn't lift anything with my right arm. After two cortisone shots to reduce inflammation and ease the pain didn't help, I ended up having surgery, which has allowed me to get back to doing everything pain free.

    Best of luck with your Ortho visit.
  3. DV

    DV

    John,

    I can sympathize with your ordeal. Many years ago I had to take a year off from golf due to golfer's elbow. Cortisone did help relieve the pain somewaht but this is just a temporary "band aid" to deal with the pain. I did not require surgery. I can recommend you back off totally from golf for at least 6-8 months. Also, when you get back to golf you should have a PGA pro look over your swing. My tendonitis was due to my swing being too steep, As I practiced frequently from hard mats at the practice range, the harsh impact would vibrate the club and send this up into the arm. Since then I had made a change to my swing which is more shallow now and I have not had any more issues with pain in over 15 years. Hitting from mats is not good for your arms or clubs. I know this is not what you want to hear but hang in there. This condition is temporary. There is hope for you next season.

    Best Wishes,

    DV
  4. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    John, I had it in my left inside elbow 2 years ago. It started in December and plagued me for months. The doctor said a shot or surgery was only 70% success rate. It was horrific pain. I went to a surgeon and he automatically set up surgery. I walked out. I decided to start stretching and strengthening my entire body twice a day. Slowly. Methodically. I worked for 10 months and rarely playing. Finally after ten months, I got back and started playing, but keeping up my stretching/fitness routine. I have been completely, 100% pain free with no loss of mobility, stronger than I've ever been. I hope this helps. Good luck.
  5. I agree. Take the time off and get stronger. I had the similar symptoms and didn't listen. I ended up tearing my Flexi Carpi tendon and had to have surgery. I was the worst 9 months of not being able to play or swing a club. It is just now 2 years later, that I am starting to get full extension. If it still hurts, get an MRI and see what is going on. Good luck.
  6. fred k

    fred k
    falls church, VA

    john,

    i suffered from tennis elbow (pain on the outside of the elbow) and tried to play through it. it got so bad that even after 2 cortizone shots and pt, i couldn't even shake hands. i effectively lost almost a year and a half of playing time due to the inflammation. definitely don't try to play through it - it'll make your tennis and golf elbows worse. give it time and listen to your ortho specialist. good luck.
  7. John G

    John G
    Napa, CA

    Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to avoid surgery, but I haven't very disciplined about doing the little exercises the physical therapist gave me. I'm use to lifting weight a few days a week, so going in and doing some forearm exercises with a 3 lbs weight isn't very motivating. I've also had a few people tell me that cortisone shots aren't a guaranteed fix, and I'm worried about it masking the pain and doing more damage to myself. We'll see.
  8. greg p

    greg p
    Chicago 'burbs, IL

    John G said:

    Thanks for the feedback. I'm hoping to avoid surgery, but I haven't very disciplined about doing the little exercises the physical therapist gave me. I'm use to lifting weight a few days a week, so going in and doing some forearm exercises with a 3 lbs weight isn't very motivating. I've also had a few people tell me that cortisone shots aren't a guaranteed fix, and I'm worried about it masking the pain and doing more damage to myself. We'll see.

    John,
    If you need motivation to lift those 3# weights, think of playing golf. You arent going to get well if you don't follow your docs advice and follow your PT exercise program. How badly do you want it?
    Good luck and get started.
  9. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    Do what your PT says!!! If you don't then you may end up requiring surgery even if you don't want to have it. 3 lbs doesn't seem like much, but remember you are working at strengthening the muscles and tendons in your forearm. My PT also gave me some stretches to do before a round and I continue do them anytime I'm going to practice or play.
  10. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    John, you can pay now with your time and prevent further injury, or pay later with your pain and permanent damage. Do your due diligence. Listen to the professionals but surgery has to be the absolute last answer. Rest and do the proper exercises. Good luck.
  11. DV

    DV

    John,

    There is a lot of good advice in this thread. Overall I would like to reiterate that you should follow the medical advice you receive from your doctor otherwise you risk further injury. Cortisone is nothing more than a temprary "bandaid". It is not a cure. Your profile pic would appear that you have your youth working for you which will speed your recovery in healing this injury.

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

    DV
  12. Tom W

    Tom W
    Southbury, CT

    Have had a similar issue with my left elbow...went through several months of therapy where I didn't touch a club at all...continued doing the exercises prescribed....wore an elbow brace and have received two cortisone shots to date over a 3 year period..the cortisone has been a big help...surgery is probably in my future...but my orthopedic won't consider doing it u til I have to have more than 3 shots a year to deal with the discomfort...I am back playing full time with virtually no discomfort...at least for the time being...listen to your own body and don't force your way through the pain...not only will your health suffer but so will your game....
  13. Frank W

    Frank W
    Florida

    I would echo several previous posts. I have dealt with tendonitis in mt elbow for several years and agree that time off has helped but not cured mine. It remains painful but less so than before. I am seeing my doctor in December and plan to discuss it with him then.
  14. CoolBreeze

    CoolBreeze
    Sudbury, MA

    I have experienced this sensation of soreness on both elbows on the outer portion of the forearm. I never did the medical advice per say. I tried massage therapy and acupuncture; the only thing that relieved it was massage therapy and icing. Then I was introduced to chiropractics - the activator method; not the one where the chiropractor is "breaking" your bones with their hands, arms or body weight. The activator method is the clicking gun which gently pushes and moves bones and body tissue to help align your body's push and pull mechanism. I have been going and getting a one hour massage then a half hour chiro adjustment for about a year now. To this day, pain is virtually gone without the need for surgery or cortisone. Also, I have heard that if there is a place that provides "cold laser" therapy, that is supposed to work very well but I have not tried it.

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