waterski (tennis) elbow

[kmenard]

My last run of the year, it was very cold, I pushed it too much, also had a pretty unsuccessful dock start...I now seem to be having some nasty tennis elbow. Anyone else have/had it? Any advice?

[Horton]

pretty much all of us over 40 have it

[A_B]

Yep, that or golfer's elbow. Numerous threads all over on this. Google it with skiing thrown in and they will probably pop.

[ForrestGump]

Every time my golfer's elbow flares up, 3 days of Celebrex take care of it.

[6balls]

Went to a talk by a ortho surgeon who did upper extremity and trauma fellowships. He claims nitroglycerin patches for a couple of weeks and it will resolve whereas all other remedies seem temporary. Hard to get approved by ins and thus can be costly. Get one patch, cut it in 4ths and put it on over area of max tenderness. Forgot to ask how often to change it.

He said works for both medial and lateral epicondylitis. I asked if I could get a pile of 'em and just slap 'em on all over where it hurts!

[gator1]

@6balls: The nitro patches are kind of in serial with the PRP injections: Same desired result, more blood to the site. My ski buddy/ortho surgeon had me try the nitro patch. Side effect for some is screaming headache. Which I got. So we cut our losses and went straight to the PRP, which worked wonders.

 

With everything I'm reading now about PRP, I'm wondering if they can inject my brain next.

[chris_logan]

I think @lpskier has some experience with this. Not totally sure, but at least it sounds similar.

[ToddL]

[ral]

Agree, I had it although I am not forty yet, just thirty something (something being around 15 these days...).

 

Flexbar, green or blue...

[gmut]

Actually I used the Slalom Pro V OCS Radius Handle from U S Gear with the .940" X 1.060" elliptical grip. This handle really relieves a lot of the pressure from your flexors and extensors while waterskiing.......very noticeable.

[lpskier]

After several cortisone injections, I went with the PRP Therapy on my right elbow, inside and outside (tennis and golfers'). Still too soon to tell what long term effect it will have, but so far, so good. If I get a favorable result, I am going to (literally) give it a shot on my ankle (old tumbling slalom injury) and my back (jumping: horses and water skis).

 

At the risk of being chastised for discussing Obamacare, I am hopeful my new and improved policy (my existing policy being cancelled) will cover the PRP injections. My current insurance does not cover it because it is deemed "experimental," even though PRP has been successfully used for years. Maybe the new program will cover the $250 per treatment I paid under my existing policy. I have so many places that hurt, I'll be able to chew through my new deductible in no time.

[ropeworks]

Simply changing to a bent handle (any brand) will alleviate elbow pain. Nick Parsons, 2013 ski season, changed to a bent handle because he had elbow pain. I thought he was too young to have elbow issues, but there you go. He told me Rossi uses a bent handle also. Nick is the first pro skier I have ever strung up a bent handle for. It's best to ski with a straight handle but if elbow pain becomes an issue then switch to a bent handle and the pain will disappear!

[Ed_Obermeier]

I use a (slightly) bent ML handle. Wish it had more bend in it actually, don't know why they can't put more in them. It does seem to help a bit but for me at least it definitely hasn't been a cure. Blue Theraband Flex Bar has helped more than anything to date.

[Zman]

@Ed did you start out with blue flex bar, or one of the easier colors?

[Ed_Obermeier]

I started with the blue. Was kind of stiff at first but I've either gotten stronger or it's softened up a bit with age and use.

 

 

 

Sounds kinda wrong doesn't it? :>)

[jimbrake]

I switched this year from a straight ML to a bent ML (yes, very slight bend) and my elbow tendinitis just continued to worsen. I need to look into this flex bar thingy.

[A_B]

Jim,

 

I have used curved for many years and have had some issues off and on, but a couple seasons ago, playing football with the kids I really tore it up. Knocked me out for a year or more.

 

The link below chronicles a weightlifter who tried a bunch of things, and I had already been down most of the same path when I found his webpage.

 

To sum it up, get a Bandit arm band and wear it every day. Everytime you use a keyboard, mouse, open a door, turn your car key etc., you are not letting it heal. I wore it skiing and playing golf after I got over the hump to even come out of the water, and it helped a lot without cutting off circulation like other forearm straps.

 

Find an Active Release Technique (ART) specialist, usually a Chiropractor as well. I and a few of my ski buds will swear by it. He has unlocked backs, golfer and tennis elbow, and shoulder tie ups for me and my friends over the last few years.

 

The Theraband Flex Bars help, I have two.

 

I also did ASTYM therapy, which is basically, someone applying cocoa butter on your arm and then using weapons to dig into your tendons and ligaments to break up the roughness so they operate smoothly.

 

Don't waste your time on cortisone, as it is a band aid that lasts a week or two. At least for me, who had a problem for a long time. I had two shots. Also had electric patch injection of anti-inflammatory.

 

I thought rest and ice would work initially, but as soon as I would pick up the dog, or carry a bag of groceries, it was right back. To beat this, you need to take a proactive approach.

 

Light weight dumbbell curls and tricep extensions, anything to help increase blood flow through the area is a benefit, as long as you don't strain while doing.

 

The stretch that is shown in the link below helped a lot.

 

I was about ready to get PRP, which at the time was really new, really expensive, not covered, and no guarantee. ASTYM got me about 60% better, I then got on the ART, Bandit, and Flex Bar program, with light curls and extensions, and could feel improvement weekly, to feeling close to 95%.

 

In hindsight, I would go right to ART, the Bandit, stretching, and the flex bars, with light curls and extensions when you can do without pain.

 

Skied last season and felt pretty decent. I let go of most slack whenever I can and don't do arm wrestling anymore or football anymore.

 

Sorry for the long length, but this seems to pop up out here fairly often, so thought I would share my experience with it.

 

 

http://www.colinmcnulty.com/blog/2008/05/31/the-cure-for-golfers-elbow-medial-epicondylitis/

 

http://www.activerelease.com/

 

http://www.astym.com/Patients/Hurt

[jimbrake]

Hey thanks, AB! I've got a Bandit, but only got to use it for the last few sets of the season. It helped a bit. Haven't been wearing for daily activities like you suggest, so I'll try that. I've been to PT and was also going to get some ART done, but the osteopath wanted me to get an orthopaedic doc to clear that I didn't have other ligament damage first. I don't. It's easing up since I stopped skiing and have been self-PTing, but I don't dare try something like pullups which I really like to do. Going to see tonight if I can swim without reactivating it and will also get some flexbars.

 

[A_B]

Stretching, light exercise with higher reps for blood flow, and ART. A good ART person will find what is locked up and fibrous and work it out in an hour appointment or two. My guy comes into the room in sweats like he is going to the gym, and he literally gets his workout, on me!

 

I discussed surgery with Ortho at one point, and so glad I did not go that route.

[Ed_Obermeier]

@jimbrake at AB's suggestion probably a couple of years ago at least I also got onto the Band-It and flex bar routine and it has helped a bunch . At a minimum it's a good and reasonably inexpensive place to start.

[hammerski]

Bent handle and change hands when getting up ie normal right hand down, change to right hand up just when getting up. My guess is getting up is a component that aggravates it. Hope it helps!

[Ham_Wallace]

Bent handle! I went bent about 8 years ago. 60 now, no problems! (advil and beer help too).

 

[kmenard]

Thanks guys...I am a little surprised it has hung on this long!

[Brady]

@kmenard Cortizone shots have become a favorite love of mine. Been getting them ever since football, and I can make it about 4 months inbetween visits.