Has anyone had "tennis elbow" surgery??

Nerak936 · 08-26-2005

I've had two cortisone shots in my right elbow over the last couple of years which were wonderful for taking away the constant pain of tendonitis. Doc said I could probably have one more before they become useless (had last one in March).

Just this past week, on the day that David had his carpal tunnel surgery stitches removed (he's doing great with no pain - surgery was successful, although doc had to scrape away lots of scar tissue and David'll be out of work for another month), my elbow has started to kick up again.

When I was knotting some Nerak necklaces the other day, it was really hurtin' baaaad. (Yeah.. I know... the trained monkeys do most of the labor, but they have no patience for tying the knots, so I have to do the "finish" work for them.)

My doc told me that a "simple 10-minute procedure" could take care of the problem. I'm not anxious to go under the knife and might go get another cortisone shot to put this off as long as possible (hey, my bowling league starts in less than two weeks!), but it seems a little ridiculous to put off the inevitable (surgery).

Has anyone ever had "tennis elbow" (tendonitis) surgery?? I'm curious as to the resulting recovery time.

08-26-2005

Hi Karen, I also have tennis elbow or tendonitis and just got a cortisone shot a few weeks ago. I wear an aircast when it acts up, but I really am unsure of the benefits that brings as it doesn't seem to help. Mine is chronic, and is truly a result of many years of USTA tennis leagues! Been 10 years now I have had the pain. It has since gotten worse after my second child was born who is a 32 pound tank at 19 months, and difficult to pick up all the time. How did you injure yours?

I have never heard of a simple 10-minute procedure even being an option! Can you tell me more?

I am hoping someone has had this procedure and can shed more light. This particular condition can be quite painful and I am sick of it.

Nerak936 · 08-26-2005

Mine started a few years ago with no definitive cause. Maybe lifting weights, maybe shoveling snow, maybe improper typing posture (though you'd like that would cause more of a wrist/finger issue than elbow). As you said, the pain can be unbearable. I initially tried physical therapy which had NO effect and wore a support brace just below my elbow for months. I was so scared of that first cortisone shot due to the horror stories I'd heard, but at that point I didn't care. No shot could hurt more than the constant pain I was enduring. The relief from the cortisone was almost instant. What a relief!!! When the pain started up again about 6 months later, I hung in for a while and then got Shot #2. Again, instant relief.

At that time he mentioned that my next option (other than another shot) would be surgery, and his exact words were "don't worry.... it's a simple, 10-minute procedure". If I recall correctly, it's a matter of snipping (yikes!) a tendon. Doesn't seem possible that "snipping a tendon" can be a GOOD thing (i.e. still allow proper strength and movement), but even if I do lose a little ability of motion/strength, it's waaaaay better than being in grimacing pain when you do something as simple as brush your teeth.

08-26-2005

Nerak,

I hate doctors, I truely believe the body is designed to heal it self, and I rarely taken medicine or anything...having said that, I think you should do it! Get it over with, that way you can move on in peace, no more shots, no more worries about it coming back....I do feel for you on the whole surgery thing, but medical science has come a long way.

Good luck with the choice!

Nerak936 · 08-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by bufante

Nerak,

I hate doctors, I truely believe the body is designed to heal it self, and I rarely taken medicine or anything...having said that, I think you should do it! Get it over with, that way you can move on in peace, no more shots, no more worries about it coming back....I do feel for you on the whole surgery thing, but medical science has come a long way.

Good luck with the choice!

I'm with ya on that one, bufante. I'm the type who has to be told to take a Tylenol when I have a headache, as I just don't automatically reach for the medicine cabinet when there's something wrong. But there are times when modern science/medicine can certainly come in handy!

I probably will opt for the surgical solution - just a matter of deciding when. Do I do it now when the pain in just starting to come back or wait til I'm writhing in agony and ready to accept amputation as a welcome alternative?!

Just hoping to hear that the recovery process isn't too long. Living in the Boston area, the snow will fly for certain this winter, and I have tenants who wouldn't pick up a shovel if their lives depended on it.

So... therein lies the rub.... do it NOW and be back in shoveling shape or hope to get through the winter (and also aggravate the crap out of it) and do it in the spring (and risk maybe being in constant pain during Peep Fest in Playa).....

Aw, S*&%!! Getting old SUCKS.

mckinzie · 08-26-2005

12 oz. curls should do the trick

TheWebGuy · 08-26-2005

My mom had surgeries on her wrists and elbow for tendonitis. She had repetative work injuries that she nursed for years. I remember her lifting light weights and stretching for years and the pain never subsided. now it's been about 18 months from her last surgery (I think she had 4, 1 for each wrist and elbow) and she is pain free. She did all the required post op procedures and exercises to keep range of motion. So everything was a success, thank god, because I always worry about those doctors (hacks).

**Shammy** · 08-26-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Has anyone ever had "tennis elbow" (tendonitis) surgery?? I'm curious as to the resulting recovery time.

OMG G/F! I HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!

I had THE worst case of tennis elbow...from working 20+ years in restaurants and lifting all those trays. The pain was unbearable at times, so I know from where you come!

I had one cortisone shot and it worked for about a year. Then I had another one, and this one hurt SOOOO badly when I got it (the needle scraping bone and stuff). After the doc finished giving me that shot, he told me he has seen "truck drivers cry after getting a hot like that"...and I didn't cry!

But this is what I was told....you simply can't have too many cortisone shots because the cortisone deteriorates the bone, that eventually, the quick fix is no longer an option. They are not a cure all. And when the relief from the shot only lasts a short period of time, that's it!

That last shot only held me a few months, and then I was back to horrible pain..so surgery was the only answer.

Now I don't know what your doctor told you, or how HE does his operations, but I wouldn't call this surgery a "simple 10 minute procedure" no matter which way you slice it! (my surgery was 3 years ago).

It was done as an outpatient surgery and I believe it took at least an hour, but maybe longer, but I can't recall for sure. I didn't have to go under general anesthesia, I was given a regional block in my shoulder to numb the arm and then a crapload of Versed so while I was awake on the table, I don't remember anything (and I was told by my surgeon that my language was very "colorful" too!

) What I CAN recall is the pain when I woke up....in fact I woke up crying in pain, it hurt that badly (and I am not a wimp when it comes to pain!).

I was in a half cast from my wrist to my armpit...half cast meaning that there was only one side to the cast (the back side) and it was wrapped up with a bandage to keep it attached to my arm. I also had a sling. I was sent home with some very decent drugs and couldn't do much of anything. This was the situation for one week, and then at post op, the cast came off and I was sent right to physical therapy.

Karen, I gotta tell ya that this is no picnic...the downtime was significant. I took 2 months off of work and couldn't use my arm properly for a pretty long time. I did 8 weeks of physical therapy, 3 times per week and progress was made everyday, but it was difficult and slow.

The deal is that they have to sever the tendons and then cut out the bad parts. When they reattach the two sides, you have to retrain your arm to do everything, it's like having a "baby arm". I couldn't even hold a toothbrush with one hand and squeeze the toothpaste with the other until I "retrained" my arm to do so. I even wore a baseball hat for the better part of 6 weeks until I could hold both a brush AND a blow dryer at the same time. Think about it...one hand for the blow dryer/one for the brush...you need TWO hands to blow dry your hair (well, I did anyway!), so no good hair days for me for quite a while!

But once everyting was healed and back to normal, it was like I never had tendonitus! Couldn't believe I lived with that kind of pain for so long and didn't have the surgery sooner. Having the surgery was THE best decision.

And dontcha know, my OTHER elbow started acting up about two years ago. I had one cortisone shot and so far, so good. Since I no longer work in the restaurant business, I'm not doing any more damage to it and I think that's why it has worked for me this long.

If I were you, I'd do it ASAP, before winter and before you are in such pain that you can no longer cope. Who woulda thunk that a stoopid elbow could cause such pain, but until you've been there, you'd never understand...and I DO understand!

Feel free to call me at home if you want more info sweety! Good luck!

Nerak936 · 08-26-2005

Thanks, Shammy!! I did a little research online this morning, and it does appear the recovery from surgery sure ain't a walk in the pahhhk.

When I went in for Cortisone Shot #2, I asked the doc how many more shots I could get, and he said "probably only one more". Then I asked the scary question, "Then what??" His reply about the surgery being "a simple 10-minute procedure" was probably a bit of an exaggeration to calm me. People rave about this guy as being an excellent orthoepedic (sp?) surgeon, so I'd have confidence in him.

I guess right now I'll wait and see how quickly my elbow "fails" this time. Like I said, it only started acting up again this week. If it goes downhill really fast, I just might look into the surgery now. I figure although I might have to take a week or two off from work and I'll have limited use after that (for a while), I can get by with my job (type with one hand) and will just have to get creative in accomplishing the rest of my day-to-day tasks (I bet my posts will be a LOT shorter!). The tough part is that OF COURSE it's my right elbow, and I'm right-handed. Can't imagine trying to put on makeup with my left hand. Will probably need corrective eye surgery for injuries caused with by reckless use of a mascara wand.... And Rissask can just imagine the troubles I'll encounter trying to get my pantyhose on....

All in all, I know I CAN'T live with the constant pain. I will have no other option than to go under the knife. UGH.

Nerak936 · 10-18-2005

Well, tonight it finally happened. I had to quit my bowling league. Was in so much pain after (actually during) the first string that I just could not continue. Had to just quit then and there, and was unsuccessful in hiding a few tears that I just couldn't hold back. The pain's been getting worse over the last few weeks, and I tried to ignore it, but......

I am so bummed. Yeah, it's only bowling, but I've so enjoyed the people and the whole social scene every Tuesday night for the past 10 years. I've made some good friends, bowled a few good strings, and had more laughs than I can count. I know.... I can go hang out with them anyway, and the President of the league's gonna sign me up as a "permanent sub" (I can bowl anytime as a sub if my arm allows me to, but I won't be on a team), but dammit..... it just pisses me off that something as simple as my freakin' bowling night is now something I can't look forward to.

Thanks for letting me sulk.

MN Annie · 10-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerak936

Thanks for letting me sulk.

You can sulk all you want. I'm sorry that your pain is stopping you from doing activities you enjoy.

jflattracker · 10-18-2005

That's too bad! I know how painful things like that can be! Surgery is always the very last option! Hope it turns out well for you! Keep us posted!

Nerak936 · 10-18-2005

Thanks, guys!!

BonnyW · 10-18-2005

Karen,
So sorry to hear you are in pain, and the pain is keeping you from doing things that you love to do. ((((Hugs))))

Seakony · 10-18-2005

Man that sux. I never had tennis elbow but I did have a problem with my right rotator cuff. I had the MRI and had 3 injections, only one actually worked. The shot itself was torture. Doc advised me to...have the surgery to fix it. THere was no way I was going to do that. I still had Mom to look after and I needed my arm. The last shot must have worked good cause that was 4 years ago and I have not had any pain since. I really think the pain was caused more from a pinched nerve than a tear. I also have had "pinched nerve problems in my leg". Funny, it seems to come and go with the weight. I gain...I hurt...I lose..I hurt... and I am only talking about 5-10 lbs. I am also a big believer in lots of advil or the good ole Celebrex....man that stuff was good but since has been taken off the market. So now, It's prescription ibuprofin for me......as needed, like tonight, as we just spent all day at the fair and I really punished my feet and back.

Good luck on your decision....I would also get that 3rd shot first.

08-26-2005	#1 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,505	Has anyone had "tennis elbow" surgery?? I've had two cortisone shots in my right elbow over the last couple of years which were wonderful for taking away the constant pain of tendonitis. Doc said I could probably have one more before they become useless (had last one in March). Just this past week, on the day that David had his carpal tunnel surgery stitches removed (he's doing great with no pain - surgery was successful, although doc had to scrape away lots of scar tissue and David'll be out of work for another month), my elbow has started to kick up again. When I was knotting some Nerak necklaces the other day, it was really hurtin' baaaad. (Yeah.. I know... the trained monkeys do most of the labor, but they have no patience for tying the knots, so I have to do the "finish" work for them.) My doc told me that a "simple 10-minute procedure" could take care of the problem. I'm not anxious to go under the knife and might go get another cortisone shot to put this off as long as possible (hey, my bowling league starts in less than two weeks!), but it seems a little ridiculous to put off the inevitable (surgery). Has anyone ever had "tennis elbow" (tendonitis) surgery?? I'm curious as to the resulting recovery time.

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08-26-2005	#2 (permalink)
kaki321 Posts: n/a	Hi Karen, I also have tennis elbow or tendonitis and just got a cortisone shot a few weeks ago. I wear an aircast when it acts up, but I really am unsure of the benefits that brings as it doesn't seem to help. Mine is chronic, and is truly a result of many years of USTA tennis leagues! Been 10 years now I have had the pain. It has since gotten worse after my second child was born who is a 32 pound tank at 19 months, and difficult to pick up all the time. How did you injure yours? I have never heard of a simple 10-minute procedure even being an option! Can you tell me more? I am hoping someone has had this procedure and can shed more light. This particular condition can be quite painful and I am sick of it.

08-26-2005	#3 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,505	Mine started a few years ago with no definitive cause. Maybe lifting weights, maybe shoveling snow, maybe improper typing posture (though you'd like that would cause more of a wrist/finger issue than elbow). As you said, the pain can be unbearable. I initially tried physical therapy which had NO effect and wore a support brace just below my elbow for months. I was so scared of that first cortisone shot due to the horror stories I'd heard, but at that point I didn't care. No shot could hurt more than the constant pain I was enduring. The relief from the cortisone was almost instant. What a relief!!! When the pain started up again about 6 months later, I hung in for a while and then got Shot #2. Again, instant relief. At that time he mentioned that my next option (other than another shot) would be surgery, and his exact words were "don't worry.... it's a simple, 10-minute procedure". If I recall correctly, it's a matter of snipping (yikes!) a tendon. Doesn't seem possible that "snipping a tendon" can be a GOOD thing (i.e. still allow proper strength and movement), but even if I do lose a little ability of motion/strength, it's waaaaay better than being in grimacing pain when you do something as simple as brush your teeth.

08-26-2005	#4 (permalink)
bufante Posts: n/a	Nerak, I hate doctors, I truely believe the body is designed to heal it self, and I rarely taken medicine or anything...having said that, I think you should do it! Get it over with, that way you can move on in peace, no more shots, no more worries about it coming back....I do feel for you on the whole surgery thing, but medical science has come a long way. Good luck with the choice!

08-26-2005	#6 (permalink)
mckinzie lightweight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Highland Village,Tx (Kinz Standard Time) Posts: 13,551	12 oz. curls should do the trick

08-26-2005	#7 (permalink)
TheWebGuy toe in water Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland, USA Posts: 47	My mom had surgeries on her wrists and elbow for tendonitis. She had repetative work injuries that she nursed for years. I remember her lifting light weights and stretching for years and the pain never subsided. now it's been about 18 months from her last surgery (I think she had 4, 1 for each wrist and elbow) and she is pain free. She did all the required post op procedures and exercises to keep range of motion. So everything was a success, thank god, because I always worry about those doctors (hacks).

08-26-2005	#9 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,505	Thanks, Shammy!! I did a little research online this morning, and it does appear the recovery from surgery sure ain't a walk in the pahhhk. When I went in for Cortisone Shot #2, I asked the doc how many more shots I could get, and he said "probably only one more". Then I asked the scary question, "Then what??" His reply about the surgery being "a simple 10-minute procedure" was probably a bit of an exaggeration to calm me. People rave about this guy as being an excellent orthoepedic (sp?) surgeon, so I'd have confidence in him. I guess right now I'll wait and see how quickly my elbow "fails" this time. Like I said, it only started acting up again this week. If it goes downhill really fast, I just might look into the surgery now. I figure although I might have to take a week or two off from work and I'll have limited use after that (for a while), I can get by with my job (type with one hand) and will just have to get creative in accomplishing the rest of my day-to-day tasks (I bet my posts will be a LOT shorter!). The tough part is that OF COURSE it's my right elbow, and I'm right-handed. Can't imagine trying to put on makeup with my left hand. Will probably need corrective eye surgery for injuries caused with by reckless use of a mascara wand.... And Rissask can just imagine the troubles I'll encounter trying to get my pantyhose on.... All in all, I know I CAN'T live with the constant pain. I will have no other option than to go under the knife. UGH.

10-18-2005	#10 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,505	Well, tonight it finally happened. I had to quit my bowling league. Was in so much pain after (actually during) the first string that I just could not continue. Had to just quit then and there, and was unsuccessful in hiding a few tears that I just couldn't hold back. The pain's been getting worse over the last few weeks, and I tried to ignore it, but...... I am so bummed. Yeah, it's only bowling, but I've so enjoyed the people and the whole social scene every Tuesday night for the past 10 years. I've made some good friends, bowled a few good strings, and had more laughs than I can count. I know.... I can go hang out with them anyway, and the President of the league's gonna sign me up as a "permanent sub" (I can bowl anytime as a sub if my arm allows me to, but I won't be on a team), but dammit..... it just pisses me off that something as simple as my freakin' bowling night is now something I can't look forward to. Thanks for letting me sulk.

10-18-2005	#12 (permalink)
jflattracker añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Loveland,Co Posts: 11,347	That's too bad! I know how painful things like that can be! Surgery is always the very last option! Hope it turns out well for you! Keep us posted!

10-18-2005	#13 (permalink)
Nerak936 =^. " .^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 18,505	Thanks, guys!!

10-18-2005	#14 (permalink)
BonnyW añejo Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Left Coast...So Cal Posts: 8,635	Karen, So sorry to hear you are in pain, and the pain is keeping you from doing things that you love to do. ((((Hugs))))

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10-18-2005	#15 (permalink)
Seakony añejo Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: no longer in Mesquite with nothing to do Posts: 10,147	Man that sux. I never had tennis elbow but I did have a problem with my right rotator cuff. I had the MRI and had 3 injections, only one actually worked. The shot itself was torture. Doc advised me to...have the surgery to fix it. THere was no way I was going to do that. I still had Mom to look after and I needed my arm. The last shot must have worked good cause that was 4 years ago and I have not had any pain since. I really think the pain was caused more from a pinched nerve than a tear. I also have had "pinched nerve problems in my leg". Funny, it seems to come and go with the weight. I gain...I hurt...I lose..I hurt... and I am only talking about 5-10 lbs. I am also a big believer in lots of advil or the good ole Celebrex....man that stuff was good but since has been taken off the market. So now, It's prescription ibuprofin for me......as needed, like tonight, as we just spent all day at the fair and I really punished my feet and back. Good luck on your decision....I would also get that 3rd shot first.