01-20-16, 08:56 AM | |
Join Date: Jan 2013
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I have a cranky left shoulder with tendonitis (says my doctor; I've never had any sort of imaging done on it), and last spring/summer I had SEVERE tendonitis in both elbows, so painful and debilitating that two doctors recommended experimental laser surgery.
The specialist told me that in most cases, the body just heals tendonitis on its own--even if you can't rest the injury properly (I'm an author, so I can't stop typing!). This healing process typically takes around 6 weeks. When I was at four months, I started considering other options, because everything was painful--even (especially?) trying to figure out where to put my arms when I slept. Well. I elected not to go ahead with the procedure but to try physical therapy instead. A funny thing happened. Before I could find a recommended PT anywhere close to me, I got better. It was almost like my elbows needed to hear a doctor say, "You're supposed to be healing." It took me about six months total for the daily debilitating pain in my elbows/forearms to go away completely (seriously, this was in April-July, and they don't bother me *at all* anymore, and I've changed nothing about my lifestyle). By fall, I was back to sewing hats by hand (this may not be a thing you do...? ) The pain in my shoulder is still there, but that's manageable. I'm used to it, and it rarely flares enough to really be problematic; and when it does I know how to treat it. About a month ago, I started lifting weights again, since I finally feel strong enough. (That injury really scared me.) I was very concerned that just holding the heavier weights would be hard on my elbows, and while I *feel* it, so far it has not caused a recurrence of the tendonitis. I am about to hunt down my elbow braces, though, just in case. Obviously everyone is different and YMMV, but I wanted to share my story, because I thought it might be helpful to hear that 1.) A doctor said tendonitis usually heals on its own, and 2.) That did happen for me!!, but 3.) It took a lot longer than they said, but it *did* happen. GOOD LUCK!!
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01-20-16, 08:59 AM | |||
Join Date: Dec 2003
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Jen |
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01-20-16, 09:20 AM | ||
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Physical therapy can help, but you need to really be mindful and careful about anything that might aggravate the condition at home. In the meantime, wear your purse cross-body. Use the speakerphone on your phone or the headset. Skip the kickboxing for now. Using ice on the area for 10 minutes several times a day really helps with inflammation. Take care of yourself! HUGS!
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Goal:250 / Done:67 POSTURE CHECK! |
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01-20-16, 09:35 AM | |
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I wanted to second this. An occupational therapist might be able to give you some other ideas on how you can modify what you do to rest your shoulder, because everything I've ever heard about tendinitis is that the key ingredient to healing is rest. Take care of yourself!
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01-20-16, 10:34 AM | |
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: the Sunny South
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I had a shoulder injury from a car accident; my hand was on the steering wheel, and when the other driver ran a light and T-boned me, the impact resulted in a labrum tear caused by a punch injury. A piece of tissue floated in the socket for months, and thanks to a misdiagnosis, PT left me in incredible pain. Surgery helped immensely.
In other words: I feel your pain. It is awful. My surgery was in May 2009. It is now January 2016, and while I remember ever day that I had an injury, it does not limit me -- sort of. I say "sort of" because I switched into super-cautious mode and made a number of workout and mechanical changes. Once the shoulder no longer hurt -- and I'll say this louder, ONCE THE SHOULDER NO LONGER HURT -- I found that Ellen Barrett and similar-type workouts functioned a bit like PT, so I started doing them. I worked dramatically on my posture (thanks, Pilates!) to help with alignment. I started getting a massage every 3 to 4 weeks to keep everything supple. Since sitting seemed to exacerbate everything, I switched to a standing desk. I quit carrying heavy purses. I started wearing flats. I even -- and this was a BIG deal for me -- let young men on airplanes who volunteered to hoist my suitcase up and down from the overhead bins help me out. It has taken a bit of time, but yes, everything works now. I hate medication, but I took the anti-inflammatories as prescribed to get the inflammation down. I iced -- oh, how I LOVED ice. I quit doing things the moment that they hurt. Good luck. I'm more than willing to answer more questions if you have them. AF Check out my blog at www.typeALC.com |
01-20-16, 01:05 PM | |
VF Supporter
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Also, without getting into specifics, there are nutritional options to help reduce inflammation. Just Google "inflammation and food" to get an idea.
Sometimes chronic inflammation in one or more joints can cause systemic inflammation.
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Goal:250 / Done:67 POSTURE CHECK! |
01-20-16, 04:05 PM | |
VF Supporter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NJ
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I also had a full tear of supra and partial of the infra that needed surgery. I feel bad for you. Before the surgery I was very limited with upper body. When I was going thru the recovery I could only do elliptical, stairmaster and practically no upper body. Modified Tonique maybe. I really don't think -- as others had suggested as well -- that you should do kickboxing. Kicking yes, but not boxing. Crossbody purse is a must. Shoulder injuries are not fun. You can pm me if you want to know more about shoulder stuff.
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12 marathons 2 ultra marathons (50k) PR: Mohawk-Hudson Marathon 3hr 40min "You finish when you are done not when you are tired." David Goggins |
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injuries, tendinitis, tendinosis |
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