Corticosteroid injection

[cd365]

Thanks for the responses, looks like it can be hit and miss. I will see how I feel a few days afterwards, at least it can't make my elbow any worse!

 

[BAtoo]

All this sounds bad.

Considering GP to get a referal for back pain Sacroiliac joint whatever that is (sister suffers the same).

I'd try a visit to a good osteopath first - they've always help my various problems...

 

[vickster]

I had one for chronic tennis elbow after physio failed for me, helped for 3 months, pain came back, tried more physio, then I had prp which didn't help at all.

Then I had surgery (avoid at all costs, awfully painful), then I had more surgery to remove scar tissue. All better now, more or less apart from some tightness around neck and shoulders on that side. Mine was caused by cycling and computer use I think.

Stop doing whatever caused it and wear a tennis elbow strap until it's sorted, and get physio. Be warned the steroid injection can hurt for a couple of days after once the local anaesthetic wears off due to tne formation of steroid crystals, the actual injection is fine (unlike prp which hurts a lot as no anaesthetic can be used)

You have my sympathies, it's a rubbish condition!

 

[cd365]

Mine is from computer use, unfortunately I can't stop it since that is my profession

 

[vickster]

You cant stop it, but you can reduce the risk. How long have you had it? Have you checked your set up is correct, from an h&s point of view if nothing else. Posture is important. I'd have the injection, get a tennis elbow strap to use at all times except sleeping and ask the doctor to refer you to physio or better pay to see a private one, or use private healthcare if you have it.

Is it a GP or specialist doing the jab, hopefully ultrasound guided so they hit the right hit? Check with the doctor when you can cycle again, what exercises you should do etc. I could barely move my arm for a good 48 hours after the jab due to the steroid flare, so you aren't going to be able to ride if that happens!

 

[Roadhump]

then I had prp which didn't help at all.

Mine was caused by cycling and computer use I think.

Probably me being a bit slow, but what is prp?

Quite depressing that it is caused by cycling, mine seems to be aggravated by cycling but my Dr, who is also a cyclist, dismissed cycling as a possible cause. Can it be definitely linked to cycling?

 

[vickster]

Platelet Rich Plasma - don't think you can get on NHS, the kit is very expensive. I was lucky Bupa covered mine as the surgeon told me it would be about £700 self pay

http://www.elbowdoc.co.uk/elbow-surgery/PRP

I had no local and it f*****g hurt, much more than steroid as no local was used - according to my surgeon it kills the platelet cells so rather defeats the point! It had no effect on me as my tendon was utterly knackered and surgery was the only option in the end. My surgeon said 90%+ efficacy (he had indeed had it himself, and concurred on the pain front )

Mine was caused initially by being overstretched on a flatbar hybrid bike that was too big I think.
It's an overuse injury caused by strain on a very badly designed (according to my ortho) tendon, so not entirely surprising that cycling could be a culprit I think

For me, definitely cycling and/or computer use. Although cycling per se never hurt, unless I tried to pick up or pull the bike!

I don't play tennis, do DIY, don't do much housework, don't have a manual job using tools and the other common causes

 

[cd365]

I have had it for about 10 weeks, my setup is fine, it is probably the fact that I am now getting old lol
I asked the doctor about the strap but he didn't think too much of them. He has given me some exercises to do, to stretch the muscle. He didn't do an ultrasound, just put it in the spot where I had most pain.
The tennis elbow hasn't stopped me from cycling, I get no pain when cycling. I couldn't move my arm much yesterday, the injection was not painful at all but I suffered with a lot of pain the rest of the day; a few beers helped me sleep. It has eased off an awful lot today, hopefully enough so I can get out tomorrow.

 

[vickster]

If only 10 weeks, you should be fine. The problem comes when it becomes chronic and really gritty in my surgeons words. Do physio, don't over do it, mine never hurt specifically while cycling either. You should also ask your employer for a work station assessment, assuming you aren't self employed

 

[Roadhump]

I don't get any more pain when cycling but it sometimes hurts more afterwards - it is also bad for the first couple of hours when I get up in the morning. I don't do anything else that could aggravate it so it seems that cycling is the likely cause. If it got no worse than now I could live with that, although it is very unpleasant, but I worry that i might be making it worse. I deliberately didn't go out today and am thinking of having a while off the bike to see if it improves.

Having Googled "cycling and tennis elbow" it seems many people suffer similarly and bike set up is often a suspected cause. When I resume cycling I'll have to try a few adjustments........or perhaps this is the excuse I need to persuade my better half that that new road bike really is necessary...

 

[vickster]

Look at stretch and stem length, make sure your elbows are bent and relaxed when riding. If on drops, make sure the tape is well padded, on flag bars get ergo grips

Try ice and heat. Are you also seeing a physio, acupuncture can help, didn't work for me but my physio has had success

 

[cd365]

I've had one on the NHS for plantar fascitis and it was eye-wateringly painful. All it did was reduce the inflammation while the area healed - except that the area didn't heal, because it was a postural problem. Sessions with a private physio, ie someone I could see within six weeks, completely cured the issue and it has never recurred.
Tennis elbow is a classic for steroid injections being a waste of time unless the injury is purely from over-use. With most of us it isn't, it's a combination or faulty technique and muscular imbalance; and there are loads of videos about how to deal with it. Here is what cured my golfer's elbow (same type of injury, but on the inside of that joint) http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=3614 and it can be applied in reverse to tennis elbow.
Steroid injections have their place in rehabilitation, but don't expect them to produce a cure on their own because they won't.

Well after the failure of my injection I have decided to give this a try. I have bought the bits needed and have done this for a couple of days now. I will update this in a few weeks.

 

[bowtomephil]

I had tennis elbow, took 8 months to fix itself (am 50 so takes longer) . I had to stop playing RTS games.