Tendinitis question

[Copespitter]

I worked in a warehouse Early last year for three months then quit due to the job was ruining my health. <br />My left elbow started hurting on the job and I was told it was probably tendinitis.<br />I haven't worked there or done a whole lot of lifting the last seven months but my elbow is not getting any better.<br />I can only lift about 5-10 lbs with my left arm without pain. More weight then that then my elbow throbs with pain and it also feels like if I make one wrong move there is going to be permanent damage.<br /><br />I've had seven months for this thing to heal and it has not gotten any better. I was under the impression that tendinitis would heal on its own.<br />Could this be something other then tendinitis?<br /><br />I don't have health insurance so going to the doctor is pretty much out of the question. <br />Can my ex-employer still be liable for this or is it to late? I'm not looking for a lawsuit. I just want my arm back to normal.<br /><br />Are there any good health forums that anyone knows of so I can learn more about this injury? I done a search and couldn't find anything.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Tendinitis question

Originally posted by Copespitter:<br /> Can my ex-employer still be liable for this or is it to late?

If you didnt report it before you left the job, there isnt a chance in you know where that you will get them to accept liability now. However, if you did tell you supervisor about it and that that is why you left and he will be honest about it, there is a slight chance.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Tendinitis question

Copespitter, tendinitis at the elbow is commonly referred to as 'tennis elbow'. The problem originates, not from any strain on the elbow but from the tendon connection from your hand grip. Hence 'tennis elbow' from gripping the tennis racquet.<br /><br />With rest and anti-inflamatory medication the problem usually recedes without any drastic measures such as cortisone shots. Just remember the aggravation comes from use of your gripper not from the movement or stress on the elbow itself. <br /><br />18 years ago I engaged in a weeklong activity that gave me a raging case of tendinitis. I begged for a cortesone shot but they would not give it to me. Time and medication made the immediate problem go away but it does not take much to cause, at least, a mild re-occurance of it.<br /><br />Here are my suggestions for you:<br /><br />If you can handle it, take about 4 ibuprophen per day for a week. Make sure you do not use your hand for any substantial gripping during that period. Also if you can imobilize your elbow for that period, all the better. They actually gave me a sling to hold my arm up against my chest.<br /><br />After the immediate pain subsides, go easy on your elbow movement and grip and continue to take an Ibupropen, one in the morning and one at bed time, for another week. It will subside but you have to help it. <br /><br />After all that, before you engage in any substantial gripping activity, (water skiing, hammering, shoveling, etc, etc, pop an ibuprophen and be sure to use Atlas gloves to ease your gripping requirment. Accept no substitutes. I always keep several pairs handy and always wear them.<br /><br /> http://palmflex.com/atlas/300.htm

 

[Copespitter]

Re: Tendinitis question

I did tell a supervisor. He is the one that told me it was tendinitis. He said it was common in that type of work. I was also wearing some type of elbow brace when I was working but it didn't do any good.<br />I didn't pursue medical treatment because I knew I was quitting and I assumed it would go away.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Tendinitis question

Oh, I forgot to mention that once your immediate problem subsides (see above post) always use your elbow brace if you are going to engage in prolonged gripping activity.(along with your preventative ibuprophen) Cinch it up tight.<br /><br />It might not have been that your job activity was all that terribly stressful. Like me, you probably just had a propensity to develope the problem. I would take my above advice and forget your past employer. At best you would go to the doctor and they would tell you the same thing. With proper care and medication it will probably take at least a month till the acute symptoms abate.

 

[Copespitter]

Re: Tendinitis question

Boomyal,<br />Thanks for the great info. Now i'm a little confused. My problem doesn't seem to have anything to do with gripping. If I lift something without using my hand it still hurts the same. Cradling firewood to bring in the house is always a painful chore.<br />If I flex my arm to make a muscle it also hurts.<br />My elbow has never hurt at rest and nothing is inflamed to my knowledge. If you needed a cortisone shot for yours it sounds like your injury might be different then mine.<br />Everything i've read off the net claims tendinitis will go away in time. I haven't done a whole lot of lifting in the last seven months and this hasn't gotten any better or worse so maybe there's something else wrong with it.

 

[Copespitter]

Re: Tendinitis question

I am right hand dominate so 90% of the lifting I do is with my right. I have done very little lifting with my left arm/hand since this has happened. My left arm is shrinking some and getting weaker do to the inactivity.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Tendinitis question

Cope, the problem is the tendon joint in your elbow, but the stress of that tendon connection came from gripping activity, not from any elbow movement strain. NOW, it hurts when you move your elbow but that is NOT what started it. I did not get the cortesone shot I wanted, I had to follow the perscription that I gave you above. Believe me, your problem is the same as mine was. I still can get twinges of it today but it never causes me the same level of excrutiating pain because I follow my own preventative perscription. You do the same from A to Z and you will see. <br /><br />Remember, at least a month for relief from your acute pain, assuming you immobilize and medicate. Nothing is broken, it just needs a rest. Again, even though the problem originated from gripping activity, now that you have it you have to immobilize your elbow.

 

[DJ]

Re: Tendinitis question

How much $$$$ will this cost???<br /><br />Geez, I ache all over, but, I still get out of bed and "go for it".<br /><br />Pain is a welcome reminder that I am still alive and employed.<br /><br />NOTHING is pain free.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Tendinitis question

Follow DR. Boomers advice, Its the only thing that will work. IMHO!!!

 

[ehenry]

Re: Tendinitis question

SOmething else to consider too, is sitting and typing on a computer will aggravate your condition. My doctor told me this, he also had one of his therapists show me two stretching excersises i can do with the arm affected. I'll send you some pics on how to do the stretches...drop me an email at obie_splyvyn@yahoo.com. THe stretches really helped me.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Tendinitis question

See a GOOD Chiroprator. It could stem form alot of different problems. Could be your neck (disc misalighment, could be your shoulder, Could be what Boomyal says. There is a member here called "the adjuster" ( ithink ) who is a chiroprator. I'm sure he wont be able to diagnos you without an exam and would not try. But, having been using a chiroprator for fifteen years, my advise would be to start there. I get tendonitis whenever my neck is mis-alighed. It also affects my shoulder and neck. I cant even bench press right now cause the doc is on vacation and I trust no other. He also treats my carpal tunnel and siatica (sp). My neck has been messed up since december when I have my bony-impacted wisdom teeth pulled. I wish I could find a good back-up chiro for when he leave town. I hope you can file workers comp. You should call them anyway. Good luck.

 

[Copespitter]

Re: Tendinitis question

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> How much $$$$ will this cost???<br /><br />Geez, I ache all over, but, I still get out of bed and "go for it".<br /><br />Pain is a welcome reminder that I am still alive and employed.<br /><br />NOTHING is pain free.

I'm not looking to get anything from my ex-employer.<br />I was just worried that so much time has passed and this thing has not gotten any better.<br />You lose 50% of the use of your left arm for 7 months and see if you don't get worried.<br />About 15 years ago I filed a workmans comp claim on two herniated discs in my back. It was such a pain in the arse process I didn't want to go through it again with this injury. <br /><br />Alright Boomyal, it sounds like you know what your talking about so I will follow your advice.<br />Thanks Guys

 

[boatneck]

Re: Tendinitis question

I've had tennis elbow for over 30 years, and Boomyal's advice is right on. I never had cortisone shots, and based on friends who have, you're better off with ibuprofen (Advil), or Alleve (naproxen) and REST. Do not do anything that causes pain, and if it hurts, stop whatever you're doing until the pain goes away. I often use an Ace elbow bandage to help me fall asleep or when I'm just puttering around. Do not use Tylenol or aspirin.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Tendinitis question

www.tendonitis.net<br /><br />If you get pain relief, don't be tempted to use that arm while on meds. Let it heal.