Hey All,
Back from a 2-day stint with the in-laws in Dallas. The Joy!
Also just back from getting a cortisone shot in my right elbow for “Tennis Elbow,” or tendinitis – and yes, you guessed it – I’m a righty. Or, should I say, one seriously bummed out righty. My doc, who’s great and in whom I put a great deal of trust, has told me to “try and be a lefty” for awhile as I ice the elbow thrice daily and treat it “gingerly.” He’s also prescribed a course of PT which I’ll start Thursday.
Even if I didn’t want to be in the shop, how do I gingerly treat the arm with which I write, unconsciously grab most things, etc.? And, oh, btw, I wanna be in the shop!!! (Imagine large adult on stomach kicking the floor and hitting it with one arm…)
So, I can’t be the only one who’s experienced this, what with all you old, I mean mature, shopsmiths out there. Any advice beyond the doc’s? If you’ve had it, how long did it take you to get rid of it? Or is it a chronic thing for you?
While it’s a good time to do things like planning, some designing, maybe a little re-organizing, there’s not a lot else to do to get my fix. Let me know how you handled it, if you don’t mind.
Thanks,
Mitch
“I’m always humbled by how much I DON’T know…”
Replies
mvac -
I recouped from knee surgery by doing some of the things you mentioned in your post, especially planning. I had built some cabinets for the shop prior to the surgery, and needed to complete the plans for the best use of storage. In fact, I ended up arranging the cabinets in a different way and adding dust collection to one of the base cabinets to be used as a router table.
In addition, I spent most of my "woodworking time" setting priorities for upcoming projects. I ended up with more projects than I had anticipated, and found that the LOML was willing to wait for one or two items so that I could complete the router table mentioned above!
Good luck with your recuperation, mvac. I sincerely hope that you won't go stir-crazy waiting to get back in the shop. By the way... back issues of FWW are GREAT for filling in some of your down "woodworking time."
Mike
Mike,
Ah, I only wish my wife was as wanting of your WW end products as mine - she's rather have me spend more "quality time" with her in the evenings. I'm tellin' ya, I'm gettin' it comin' and goin'...
Re: The magazines, I've gotten into the habit of flagging the pages in each one that has something of interest, and writing what it is on the tab. It's been very useful in helping to prioritize things, make life easier by reading about more efficient techniques, and giving me loads of project ideas. I do, in fact, have probably three or four dozen that I haven't re-visited yet. Good idea.
Thanks,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Hey MVAC,
Having recently recovered from carpal tunnel surgery, I feel for you man; I have a good idea what you're going through.
Rest is a big priority. It is all to easy to re inflame angry tendons. Give it a rest, and then double the time before you work it again. It's a real bummer to lay off for six weeks, and then to re injure right out of the gate.
Also, be careful of icing. Icing too long will not help, and actually be counter productive. An alternating application of cold and heat can work wonders. I used a wet towel heated in the microwave for 1 min. alternating with ice at about a 1:2 ratio of time.
Good luck and take it easy,
Tom
Tom,
"Rest is a big priority. It is all to easy to re inflame angry tendons. Give it a rest, and then double the time before you work it again. It's a real bummer to lay off for six weeks, and then to re injure right out of the gate."
Having once, a long, long time ago, been very athletic and into running, mountain hiking, rowing, etc., I know exactly what you mean about an overuse injury right after a successful rehab. I would, however, just like to say for the record, that the downtime sucks (we can say that here, right?).
Thanks,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
what with all you old, I mean mature, shopsmiths out there.
ayeeee... it's well seen that auld age diznae come itsel'... ;P~~
if it's any consolation, I know all too well where you're comin from.. maybe not with the tendonitus, but I've had my share of enforced down time...
How to get around it.??
Work with your head; you're bound to have a bunch of projects rattlin around in that head of yours... sketch 'em... plan 'em... cost materials and hardware... make cut lists... update your catalogues and do some drooling if ya dare..
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
"ayeeee... it's well seen that auld age diznae come itsel'... ;P~~"
Listen, you crazy Scotsman, if you don't stop talking like that I'm gonna start mentioning sheep and kilts in the same sentence...
I am indeed doing what I can in terms of planning, organizing, prioritizing, etc. That's the best I can do, even if I'm itching to build. Likelihood is, when I do get back to the wood and the tools, I'll make something better than if I'd started with today's plan.
For those of you who remember "The Big Chill," that's known as a "juicy rationalization."Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
if you don't stop talking like that I'm gonna start mentioning sheep and kilts in the same sentence...
Steady now... words like that'll get Richard's blood pressure sky high... and after a Scotland win over the weekend, that's never a safe thing... ;P~~~
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Edited 3/1/2005 6:29 pm ET by Mike
Two words:
Loose grip
Your talking to "He Who Still Thinks He's 20" I'm a little more than twice that old now and I still play in adult baseball leagues, so I know tendinitis real well. The key is rest and follow through with the PT. Even when you start feeling well and think "Hey, I'm fine now!" keep up with the exercises and strengthen your muscles. Also make sure you stretch. Anything you do now, use a loose grip. What aggravates it is tightly gripping something and flexing your arm.
As I get older the time to heal seems to be growing exponentially. I think I did myself in this last time. I had a cortisone shot on the elbow last Nov, but the pain has not gone away. We had batting practice yesterday and today my elbow is visibly swollen. I don't think even a double dose of Vitamin I (Ibuprofin) will help. Doc says it's time for an MRI to see what's going on in there. I've already had orthroscopy done on both shoulders. Looks like the elbow is next......
So, my advice is to give it a rest and take the time to do some planning and designing.
My motto is "Pain is temporary, but tropies are forever!" I think I may have to change that before I do some real damage.
Vitamin I! I like that. Also my drug of choice...Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Rest, ice, PT all help. Those tendonitis bands help some too. What really sets mine off is lots of sanding. Handling wood and feeding it through the machinery doesn't aggravate mine nearly as much. Also watch where you rest your arm. Resting it in the crook of the elbow on a car window sill or a Morris chair arm will irritate the sh*t out of the nerve (Ulnar?).
John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
The more things change ...
We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.
Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC
John,
"Rest, ice, PT all help. Those tendonitis bands help some too. What really sets mine off is lots of sanding. Handling wood and feeding it through the machinery doesn't aggravate mine nearly as much."
I'm really hoping the PT will have a big impact. I usually do well with a structured recovery system, something that keeps me from going off to the races too soon but gets me strong again as quickly as possible while still being safe.
I can feel my elbow hurt just thinking about sanding... But I also do a fair bit of hand planing when getting boards prepped, and that I'm gonna miss. It's one of those things that I never used to be able to get right, and now rarely have a problem with. So every time that wispy ribbon emerges... Oh, heck, I can't talk about it anymore... :-(
Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Edited 2/28/2005 9:03 pm ET by mvac
mvac ,
Sorry to hear of your discomfort , I have had bouts with the tendonitis many times . It seems to flair up and be sore a while and then it gradually stops hurting . As ELCOHOLIC stated the most helpful thing for me is to wear an ace type of sports band . Belive it or not I found by wearing the band snugly around my wrist area instead of the elbow area has done wonders for me . Give it a try for yourself and hopefully it will help you also.
good luck dusty
Dusty,
"Believe it or not I found by wearing the band snugly around my wrist area instead of the elbow area has done wonders for me . Give it a try for yourself and hopefully it will help you also."
Well, if accupuncture can work, why not try placing pressure on a different part of the body that might be connected inj terms of nerves, muscle restraint, etc.? I'll give it a try. Thanks.Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Had/have exactly what you descibe.
About 1 1/2 years ago I was nailing up some sheet rock. It was either the nailing or lifting and losing control of a big sheet with my short arms. Anyway, pain, swelling etc..It got to the point wher there was a lump right on the outside of my elbow. I saw a sports doc who diagnosed wrongly it was a torn tendon. Cortisone shot made it better. A couple weeks later..same thing. Another doc did a more thorough exam and found no tear but "framers elbow" . Cortisone again.
Basically nothing can be done. I'm 90% at this point after laying off the hammer as much as possible. I can do everything I used to and recovery is faster. Doesn't impact my daily life and hasn't for about 9 months. But for over 6 months it was a daily struggle.
Things I've done and recommend. Get a titanium hammer! Needn't be 100% ti but a ti head with a wood hammer is what I have. 14 oz Stilletto framer and a finish to be exact. $65. I sold ALL my steel hammers. NOTHING makes my elbow hurt like one blow with a steel hammer. Even in the shop go ti. Get the little 10oz. Stilletto ( my next purchace). Use nail guns if possible or needed.
I used to wear a brace and I forget it now a days and it doens't seem to matter. If I was going to frame a house I think I'd put it on. I love ibuprofin and don't hesitate to take 200mg. You have to keep the sweeling at bay or it'll never heal, even the day to day stuff.
For acute problems I did as your doing, ice and rest. Be careful, though! I layed off too long and lost about 5% range of mothion in my arm due to lack of use. You PT will be good I'm sure.
The thing that got me back was throwing a baseball. I was dying and said forget it and started tossing a few minutes each day with a neighbor kid. I progressed about 75% of my recovery in that one week.
Oh yea if it hurts don't do it!
Take it easy. I'm 44 and it was a bummer. It never goes away completely so you have to pay attention and back off any work that'll hurt. I was almost cured 2 weeks after the 1st doc visit but pushed it and have never been as close to 100% .
Titanium hammers are a godsend!!!!! I can frame a house if need be.
HTH
Notrix
NTH,
"Be careful, though! I layed off too long and lost about 5% range of mothion in my arm due to lack of use. You PT will be good I'm sure."
That's the balancing act, isn't it? I don't want to atrophy, but I don't want to do anything to hinder my recovery. I think you're right about the PT.
"Take it easy. I'm 44 and it was a bummer. It never goes away completely so you have to pay attention and back off any work that'll hurt. I was almost cured 2 weeks after the 1st doc visit but pushed it and have never been as close to 100% ."
Well, thanks for those encouraging words... I'm 47, never had this before, and while I really hope it won't recur, it sound like once you've got it, you've got it. As for the titanium hammer, that's something I'll definitely look at. But it sounds like you do a lot more construction-related work, like a commercial carpenter, maybe? Most of the banging I do is with a wooden club on a chisel, or a dead-blow, or a rubber mallet. Still, anything to reduce irritation's worth it.
Thanks,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I feel your pain....had tennis elbow..or ww elbow for about 6months and found that only rest, ice and lots of daily ibufrophen made it go away. I didn't have to go as far as a cortisone shot for which I'm grateful as I have heard that they are very painful, but it took a long time and lots self lecturing when I couldn't stand it any more and went back to shop too soon.
Be as disciplined about this as you are about your joinery :)
Alison
6 MONTHS!!!! Please, banish the thought. What the &^%$#$ am I gonna do if it takes that long? I'm disciplined, but I'm just not sure I'm that disciplined...
Well, thanks for the warning. I might as well prepare for the worst, and I'll be pleasantly surprised if it turns out to be better...
Thanks,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Careful with the Cortisone shots as they will weaken tendons over time.
I had open rotator cuff surgery 17 months ago, and have still not completely recovered. Get some Vioxx (when it comes out again) or Bextra, or just plain Motrin and use it with your PT. Try to do things that don't strain the tendon/irritate the nerve. But...you gotta do something. Just sitting around doesn't cut it.
Tom,
"Careful with the Cortisone shots as they will weaken tendons over time.
I had open rotator cuff surgery 17 months ago, and have still not completely recovered. Get some Vioxx (when it comes out again) or Bextra, or just plain Motrin and use it with your PT. Try to do things that don't strain the tendon/irritate the nerve. But...you gotta do something. Just sitting around doesn't cut it."
I just had to get the cortisone, it hurt that bad, but I know it's only a stopgap measure. I pop 2400mg of "Vitamin I" as was mentioned earlier in the thread - per my orthopedist's recommendation. To be honest, I'm not sure that Vioxx was ever that much more effective for me than Ibuprofen. But I agree, I can't just sit here, so I'm glad I'll be doing some PT.
Thanks,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I got "tennis elbow" from pounding nails. I've been a carpenter for 40 yrs. During the 70's I worked for a shell crew. Three of us could build a 24 x 40 ranch in five days, all nailed by hand. We averaged 35 homes a year. I used a 22 oz. Estwing and by 1980 I could barely move my arm. The old timers warned me about using a steel hammer but I was young and tough and indestructible, ha. I switched to an ergonomic hammer when I started my own business in 80. I couldn't afford a nail gun at first, worked alone and suffered through. My work today is primarily finish and cabinetry. Once I stopped pounding with a hammer, the tendonitis went away. I'm sure if I started hand nailing again all day, it would come back in no time.
I also have rotator cuff problems and bicepital tendonitis from baseball and volleyball. These don't go away and are more aggravating than the elbow. I had to stop playing about four years ago and now, like many busted up players, I referee. Even the PT exercises and laying off don't help much. I'll need an operation when I can spare the time off.
I think you'll find that doing your exercises and not repeating the same actions will do a world of good for the elbow. Taking ibuprofen or other pain relievers is bad for the digestive system. I think you'll notice improvement in a few months. All the basics of exercising, losing weight, eating better and drinking lots of water definitely help.
Today I have my shop set up to help me stretch from time to time during the day. My dust collector switch is up high so I have to reach way up and make it an exercise. My tool board is a couple steps away from the bench so I also make a point of stretching as I go back and forth. It only takes a couple extra seconds and gets the body in a different position. I have power feeders on my router tables, shapers and table saw. My fingers were starting to lock up after long hours so the feeders have helped that issue. I don't hand plane except for fun. It takes way too much time when you do it for a living anyway. Change the way you have done things and you'll be feeling better within a year or so.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Hey everybody,
For those I didn't personally respond to, thanks and please accept my apologies. And for all of you, THANKS FOR DEPRESSING THE HELL OUT OF ME...
This is not how I envisioned my "prime" years to be. If it's not my knee, it's my achilles; not my achilles, it's my elbow. This stinks. I agree with everyone who encouraged exercise once the pain's gone - at the end of the day, the more fit I am the better my joints feel. At least that's the way it used to go...
Btw, if there's anyone out there willing to lie and tell me it'll resolve ina few days, I'd love to entertain the fantasy.
Thanks for all of the great, if not necessarily what I wanted to hear, advice.
Best regards,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Dear Mitch:
Alot of life is not fun. As one ages(hopefully gracefully!), sometimes one's body is not compliant with all of the activities that our minds can envision. All of the equipment in my shop, for example, is on rollers so that my back is not subject to several hundred pounds of insensitive cast iron. Most of my woodworking is done with machines, not because I cannot use my hand tools, but simply because I'd rather wear out the brushes on my router's motor than the cartilage in my joints. Getting older is no fun, but if you can open your eyes in the morning and drag yourself through all of the necessary tasks of the day, then at the end of the day you have been a success.
Some things actually improve as one ages. Problem solving, for example. Many problems which are encountered are easier to solve as we grow older because we have either seen them before or because we can adapt a prior similar solution to the problem in question. It is interesting to see this displayed before my eyes as my children get older. While they may be bigger and stronger than me, it will be a LONG time before they can out think me. I hope that this is of some consolation to you. Some actions are best pondered as opposed to actually being performed.
Sincerely, Rob
Edited 3/1/2005 6:05 pm ET by ROBANDJO1
Rob,
I struggled about whether I should respond humorously (e.g. - "Oh, don't give me that wisdom stuff") or more along the lines of the tone in which your message was written.
You do me a service by pointing out the pros and cons of aging. I must say, the level of sanity, self-appreciation, and appreciation for the world around me have all increased with age. That said, while not everything in life is fun, woodworking provides something special for me, not that I can articulate it all that well.
I'm not the best of woodworkers. I'm probably not even in the middle of the pack. Every now and again I make a mistake and wind up making something really nice. ;-) But as someone who has spent his entire professional life in the service business - I'm a management consultant - there's something about creating something tangible out of what was formerly just a few planks of tree parts that is extremely satisfying.
I also know that I have a real thirst for knowledge - and as educated as I may be, I've learned more by doing than I've ever learned by listening to a lecture or reading a textbook.
So, that's why I'm so displeased by my current physical state.
Still, your words about adaptation and making life easier on your self are helpful - or at least they would be if I weren't still a big kid inside. I don't use a handplane all the time, but I like using my planes. And while there are jigs to make dovetails, I really, really like making them by hand. And I actually find it easier than using a jig (I haven't used the Leigh, but I've heard similar things about the tedious and time-consuming setup one has to go through each time), and I like the fact that they have a character that machine-cut dovetails don't.
Anyway, I see that I am ranting. I appreciate your words, and will invest my time and energy into many other things that I usually never get to because I'm too busy in the shop.
And oh, btw, while she'll never say it, I think my wife sees this a real blessing - now instead of going down to the shop every night, I can spend more time watching TV with her, or more seriously, connecting, which is of course a very good thing.
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I was jogging in shorts last summer when I saw a tennis ball on the ground. I picked it up and put it in my pocket. Few minutes later I was joined by my neighbor wife who also jogs almost daily and after a while observing the bulge asked what was the problem. I answered "matter of fact" it is just a tennis "ball". Oh poor thing she replied, it must be very painful, I know because I suffer from tennis "elbow". True story!
There is a velcro band that you can put around your arm just below the elbow that may relieve the pressure. Check a sporting goods shop.
Sorry to hear about the in-laws they can be such a pain...lol.
I've had it or got it. Mine is actually from playing tennis and then later from re-occurred from finish carpentry. I'm not sure if the years of martial arts made it worse or better.
Rest is the best. I never had to go as far as cortisone but plenty of PT and Motrin. It's really hard to lay off the woodworking but you have too. Use the time to plan your next projects.
Here's what I did. After the inflammation and pain was gone, I started exercising my arm. Gingerly at first. I started using a grip strengthener. The type a guitarist uses. Not the spring with two grips like we used in high school to impress our friends and girls. I worked my way up to resistance style trainers. I have a BowFlex. I now use the Bowflex and DynaFlex wrist gyro to work the muscles and tendons. I haven't had a re-occurrence since. Since your going to a PT have them take you through a regiment. Not everyone is the same so what I did may not work completely for you. My best advise I can give is to stick to your PT and continue it long after the pain is gone.
I did give up martial arts, but I can still kick my brother's a**. He would disagree but since he has a bum knee neither of use is going to actually try to find out. LOL.
Take care of you elbow and you'll be back in no time.
Best wishes.
Mitch --
oh boy, do I know what you are talking about. I lived with the pain for many years until I couldn't stand it anymore. What started as pain in the elbow had crept up to my shoulder and after 4 years of not being able to sleep on my right side, I gave up.
It turns out that I didn't have a simple "non-operable" case of tendonitis. I had an impinged nerve in my shoulder, caused primarily by a part of my collar bone that continued to grow. When the bone formed a spur that cut through a shoulder tendon every time I would throw a ball (or similar action), it caused the increase in pain that "spurred" me into see an ortho.
It turned out that my condition was (despite what a previous ortho had told me) operable and there was a high liklihood of full recovery. Since I now had a cut tendon, surgery really was needed.
It was the best thing that ever happened. For several years I've been pain free and able to throw a ball again without a sharp pain in my shoulder. Therapy wasn't so bad and my ROM is 100%.
One way to determine if you might be suffering from impingement is to hold your arms out in front of you, thumbs down (like you are pouring out beer from a can). Have someone provide resistance and see if you can press up. If it hurts like hell, see an orthopedic surgeon soon.
Good luck, cortisone is a wonderful thing, too.
Paul
Paul,
I'm really glad to hear that you're recovered with 100% ROM! That's kind of unheard of. Good for you.
I've actually been seeing an orthopedist about this, and he's pretty confident it's plain old tendinitis. That said, when I start PT on Thursday, I'll have a better idea when my therapist puts me through my paces...
Thanks for the uplifting story,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Mitch,
I can relate. I have had tennis elbow now for about 6 months. I originally hurt it cutting mortises with my spade bits and chisels for the base of my workbench. It has gotten better but I still have the pain even today. My doctor had me purchase this black strap which has a pad on the inside. You put this strap on about a few inches down from the elbow. It uses velcro for fastening. What it does is makes you tense your forearm below the elbow when you use your arm. In other words, it minimizes the tension put on your elbow. It works pretty well. GOod luck with it. I couldn't even pick up a coffee cup when I originally did it...
Regards,
Buzzsaw
Buzzsaw,
Thanks - You're the second person to mention the Velcro strap. I'll look out for it. Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I stilll place a rubber band on one hands fingertips and stretch my fingertips outward. Take it easy at first - makes a big difference. Also - grooves or countersink holes in your hammer handle lessen your need to grip as tight. It took a year for my elbow to straighten out.
Hammersparks
"Tennis Elbow,"
I did that makin my work bench long ago!
I had tennis elbow 25 plus years ago working production in a factory. I was stronger than smart and not real strong either. Tore up my knee moving pallets. Got that but at that time they took out all the cartladge so now I have arthritis from. Got it in the other knee to. Had both hands done for carpel tunnel in 96'. Had spurs removed from my neck in 98'. Had in done again in 02' with two metal bkackets put in. Needs doing again as soon as they can. But first I have a bulging disk, with spurs that needs a bracket. Apr. 4 for that. June 9 I have a torn mussel in my right shoulder and a rough bone that needs scraping to do. I always worked hard but not real smart. You have to take as long as you need to heal. And for you young guys get helpwhen needed, don't try to do it all alone.
Bill,
Thanks for the cautionary tale. I'm sorry you had to go through all that, and are still going through it. But your experience is definitely motivating me to resist the temptation to do anything with the elbow until the pros say it's ok to do so.
I had my 1st PT app't. yesterday. Good, experienced guy, seen a lot of this. Says the vast majority of chronic tendinitis cases are a result of people going back to the activity too soon. Re-injury, or more accurately re-aggravating an existing injury that stopped hurting but hadn't yet healed, is the biggest problem.
I went and got my special "BandIt" strap for my forearm yesterday, and I wear it all the time, except in the shower. I do the exercises I was prescribed. And I just hope that it won't take six months; but it could. And if it does, I need to be alright with that, or at least make sure I don't go back too soon even if I'm not alright with it.
The doc said "be a lefty," and as much as possible, that's what I'm doing. I really miss the shop. But if I don't nip this in the bud now, I'll be missing it a lot longer.
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Note to self:
DON'T sleep with the strap on - it eventually gets irritating and you'll want to take it off in the morning to get some relief. Duh.Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
I didn't read through all the posts here, and maybe somebody has already made this suggestion.
I had a bout with Tennis elbow a few years ago, and I didn't get a shot, but my orthopod gave me a tip for icing that made that whole process faster and less onerous. She suggested I go out and buy the smallest paper cups I could find. Fill them with water, stick them in the freezer, and apply the cup directly to the "spot" on your elbow (you know where it is!) for as long as you can stand it. Which might be about a minute.
The concentrated cold does the same job as an ice pack, only in much less time. That way, I could ice down frequently through the day.
I also got the strap, but couldn't see that it did much good in my case.
Pain finally went away after about 6 months, never to return.
Nikkiwood,
That's a great suggestion, which hasn't been raised yet. I do think the strap is doing me some good since, if nothing else, it comfortably helps to remind me to favor the damaged elbow. So thanks for the "dixie cup" suggestion.
Btw, did you actually stay away from your shop for 6 months? I'm just trying to get a gut check here.
Best regards,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
<<"Btw, did you actually stay away from your shop for 6 months?">>Naw, not at all. I don't know how long you have been suffering with this, but it is pretty amazing how quickly your body/mind adapts, and you find ways to work around an injury. Obviously, you want to avoid those motions which caused the injury in the first place, but without even thinking about it you will find other ways to do stuff that won't further aggravate the injury.
Nikkiwood,
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
I just don't hink I could stand 6 mos away from WW, but I want to nip this in the bud the first time and not have to deal with it again if at al possible.
Thanks again with a big sigh of releif (Can you feel it?),Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Did the same thing last year with a set of hedge clippers.
WalMart -- of all places -- has an excellent elbow band/brace.
Brace, (not too tight) 3200 mg of ibuprofen/day for 10 days, was about half ok. Dropped the dosage to 2400 for another 15 days, got better, held dosage at 1800 for another ten. Then was very, very careful.
Good luck!
Leon,
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm basically doing the same thing, plus PT (a good thing since my compliance is a lot better when I'm watched over like a hawk...).
I'm hoping that if I do what I'm told and not push it, I can get back sooner rather than later.
I found this strap called the Band-It that seems to work very well - can wear it all day w/o irritation.
We'll see how it goes.
Thanks again,Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
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