Off to the Doctor…
… this time for myself. Ugh! I am so not looking forward to this.
I have tennis elbow. What is this? “Tennis elbow” is a common term for a condition caused by overuse of arm and forearm muscles that results in elbow pain. You don’t have to play tennis to get this, but the term came into use because it can be a significant problem for some tennis players.
Tennis elbow most commonly affects people in their dominant arm (that is, a right-handed person would experience pain in the right arm), but it can also occur in the nondominant arm or both arms.
What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Symptoms of tennis elbow include:
* Pain slowly increasing around the outside of the elbow. Less often, pain may develop suddenly.
* Pain is worse when shaking hands or squeezing objects.
* Pain is made worse by stabilizing or moving the wrist with force. Examples include lifting, using tools, opening jars, or even handling simple utensils such as a toothbrush or knife and fork.
What made me finally call the doctor back was when I couldn’t hold my debit card when it was given back to me. What the heck?!?! So after a month of doing exercises and taking motrin, it has gotten worse. I now have to go in and get a shot of cortisone. Ugh. I am so not looking forward to this.
Some facts:
Tennis elbow affects 1% to 3% of the population overall and as many as 50% of tennis players during their careers. Less than 5% of all tennis elbow diagnoses are related to actually playing tennis.
Tennis elbow affects men more than women. It most often affects people between the ages of 30 and 50, although people of any age can be affected.
Although tennis elbow commonly affects tennis players, it also affects other athletes and people who participate in leisure or work activities that require repetitive arm, elbow, and wrist movement. Examples include golfers, baseball players, bowlers, gardeners or landscapers, house or office cleaners (because of vacuuming, sweeping and scrubbing), carpenters, mechanics, and assembly-line workers.
I guess I can’t vacuum anymore…. oh the horror! The boys will have to do this from now on! Ha!
August 4th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
My mom recently found out that she has Tennis Elbow. It doesn’t sound like much fun. Hope you heal up soon!
.-= Dawn’s Daily Life´s last blog ..Only 10 Months =-.
August 4th, 2009 at 12:21 PM
sounds like torture!
Gosh I hope the Dr.s visit goes well! and hope your strength in your arm is back in no time! ((HUGS))
.-= palmtreefanatic´s last blog ..NICKELODEON Characters At KINGS ISLAND =-.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Good luck!
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