Tennis Elbow : What To Do?

2

2000_328ci

Extra Hitter
So I've been playing in three leagues, two of which have double headers.. so i've been playing 5 hours of softball a week, have been in the outfield, and have developed a pain in my left elbow (I'm a left throwing/right batting player). I've been told it's tennis elbow and is from the torque of throwing the ball and then hitting.. both of which put funny strain on it.

I've been told that a tennis elbow brace or compression sleeve may help... also used biofreeze prior to the game but it didn't do much to control the pain.

Do you think one of these aids (sleeve or brace) will help or should I consider seeing a doctor?
 
-Six-

-Six-

Weiner
Maybe look into changing how you throw as well. I have an elbow nerve issue. I changed how i throw and it doesn't bother me anymore. I had really bad form before i guess.
 
2

2000_328ci

Extra Hitter
I wouldn't be surprised if this has something to do with it.. I've always thrown a baseball in a similar fashion to a football... my wrist snaps forward essentially from my ear rather than the larger rotation with a really outstretched arm.

In the past couple weeks, it was just a little sore here and there but last night it actually stung so I figured I would ask if anyone had any experience with braces or sleeves.

I love your flashing logo btw :)
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oilslick58

oilslick58

Addicted to Softballfans
those forearm braces work like magic for tennis elbow..................unless you have a tear.
Don't waste the co-pay on a doc visit unless you have worsening symtoms
 
BOOMHAUER

BOOMHAUER

COMbatants#87
2000_328ci said:
I wouldn't be surprised if this has something to do with it.. I've always thrown a baseball in a similar fashion to a football... my wrist snaps forward essentially from my ear rather than the larger rotation with a really outstretched arm.
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you have a 3/4 snap throw. I used to have the same issue. I changed my throw to where I extended my arm fully back before bringing my elbow forward and ball more away from my head.
 
jf2k4

jf2k4

<font color="#3300FF">Outstanding Good Dealer</fon
If you really want the pain to go away your only option is rest.

It took I'd say 4 weeks of inactivity to be fully pain free again.

But you have to remember after it happens once it's a chronic problem after

I played 4 consecutive games in a tournament in the outfield about 2 months ago and it flared up again.

So I've been playing second since and even without having to throw lasers, it's not getting better with minimal stress being put on it.
 
jstrick33

jstrick33

Addicted to Softballfans
I had it really bad, I started doing curls and lots of triceps ext. It helped alot, I had the same problem when I played alot.
 
Iknight1

Iknight1

Addicted to Softballfans
this is a softball forum. It's not tennis elbow anymore, It's tendonitis. Tennis Elbow sounds way too ***.
 
deKilla

deKilla

Coach
deKilla said:
Voltaren Emulgel < < get a tube of this, best stuff out there! anti-inflammatory cream.
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again the above!! works on back,shoulders,muscle pulls,etc! This is must guys, trust me! lol your tennis elbow is always going to flare up now and then if your active.
 
zitro23

zitro23

Addicted to Softballfans
I had this as well. Lots of ice, biofreeze, and an ems a few times a week straightened it out. The adjustable compression bands do also help a lot.
 
rocketman98

rocketman98

Starting Player
First you need to determine where it hurts on your elbow. I have had this same problem. A doctor had me pinpoint where it hurt. Mine was on the bottom of my elbow, so it was golfer's elbow. If it hurts on the top of your arm it is tennis elbow. Either way it is tendonitis. The problem is the tendon in your elbow is becoming tired from over use and will start pulling away from your elbow. I went from pitching to outfield and had problems making a quick throw. The first thing I did was get a strap for my arm and place it directly on the affected area. I wore it for almost a week all day, as well as ice it a lot. I made sure to ice it every night before bed. I use a compression sleeve when I play now, and It has helped out a lot. One thing that helps release the inflammation at the start is something called Arnica. It is found at Whole Foods Stores. It is a natural anti-inflammatory.

As was stated before this is something you will deal with for several weeks until it feels better. After that it can and will flare up from time to time. The best thing to do is figure out what is causing the pain to flare up. For me it was making quick throws in the OF. Also one of my Easton bats was causing my arm to hurt everytime I swung it.

I hope you get some relief as this is a painful and frustrating issue to deal with.
 
thesteve

thesteve

Addicted to Softballfans
wbaubl1 said:
R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and Aleve after use. Compression and motrin during use.
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This.

IIRC, Biofreeze cools things down, doesn't it? I would think of it more as an "after activity" use instead of a "warm up/pain relief during" use. For use during I'd go with Bengay or similar.

I'm the opposite of you (RHT, LHBatter) and I have ligament damage in my elbow from being a pitcher in high school so I can be prone to tendonitis flare ups. Wearing an elbow sleeve (Mueller elastic, so heavier than say...a shooter sleeve) has really helped a lot with keeping things in check.

Otherwise, as others have said, inactivity and RICE are pretty much the only things that will make it go away completely.
 
D

dponder

Addicted to Softballfans
Tennis elbow is most likely a symptom of a bigger issue, not the issue itself. It could be overuse if you started from nothing and are going full tilt, but it's more likely a result of bad mechanics somewhere.
 
8zero8

8zero8

Addicted to Softballfans
what about arm pain in the bicep?? i get it after multiple games of throwing from the of.. always at the base of my bicep, and tricep.. any thoughts??
 
2

2000_328ci

Extra Hitter
I don't have any issues in my bicep or tricep. It's just in the outside of my elbow...

I'm playing a lot of golf (2 rounds a week), softball (6 hours a week), and lifting two or three nights a week...
 
thesteve

thesteve

Addicted to Softballfans
HrBump13 said:
I know this may sound gimmicky, but look into KT Tape or Kinesiology Tape. This shows you how to tape it up: http://www.kttape.com/instructions/tennis-elbow/ . I have had success w/ this for a short adductor strain & they have videos showing use w/ different injuries.
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A friend of mine runs like crazy (I don't have a clue how many miles per week, but it's a ton) and she uses KT Protape for her knees and legs.
 
H

hoopsstar22

Addicted to Softballfans
deKilla said:
Voltaren Emulgel < < get a tube of this, best stuff out there! anti-inflammatory cream.
Click to expand...

I had EXTREME tendinitis in both elbows 2 years ago from lifting. So bad i could barely hold a 5lb weight, less alone lift.


I got a sample tube of Voltaren from the hand and upper arm specialist, took 1 week off from the gym and was 100%. Only bad part is a Voltaren prescription will run you ~$175 per tube.

If you or anyone you know is going to Mexico soon, have them pick you up a few tubes of Volfenac. Its the exact same thing, just a different brand name down there. $10 per tube. My wife is a pharmacist, and approved of the purchase.

I am using it right now for my shoulder, and it is working wonders.
 
Wheels33

Wheels33

Coach
I had major issues with my tendons in my elbow on the inside nerve part. Unless you want a tommy john surgery. Take a few weeks off and RICE!!! Best advice Let it heal, before you damage it more, then focus on how to prevent it.

When your feeling better, correct your throwing form. I used throw-max to help guide me to correct throwing. Really prevents you to snap the elbow. My throw was much weaker when I started this, but now I can throw farther and harder than I ever could. Also use theraband flew bar as others said on here, works wonders! But pain will come back if you throw wrong way! I have to keep training myself to throw correctly every warm-up. I notice I go back to old way in games in a hurry throw from outfield. But throw correct 90% of the time in games now and my pain is completely gone. I do wear a compression sleeve, I dont know if it help much though. It is more of a reminder for me to throw correct. A mental thing for me.

Someone on sbf posted it, and it was amazing how fast pain goes away when i tried this.
 
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