[DaveyDave]

Hi guys,
Last effort really, I've seen probably 6 or 7 physios and had no real improvement since getting it over a year ago. I've read everything I can find on the internet, and tried loads of fixes. Just wondering if anyone's had the same thing and managed to solve it.

Had a heavy day bouldering and woke up the next day with my elbow not quite right.

Problems are:
-Sharp pain where triceps meet elbow (set off by push-up movements)
-Deep pain in crease of elbow where bicep meets elbow (set off by compression moves)
-Tightness around the crease where the ulnar nerve runs (set off by any pulling action really)
-Discomfort running down forearm (present quite a lot of the time)
-Heavy clunk when flexing elbow from totally bent to 90 degrees, and lighter clicking every time it bends from straight to slightly bent. Neither of these feel insignificant really. Not my ulnar nerve dislodging though like I've read about.

Physios have told me everything from:
-Neck/Shoulder/Elbow impinging on the ulnar nerve (no shoulder pain)
-Pronator strain (eccentrics don't hurt at all)
-Brachialis/Tricep tendon strains

Anyone know some magic?

[mrjonathanr]

-Deep pain in crease of elbow where bicep meets elbow (set off by compression moves)

Sorry to read this, sounds like a nightmare.

This pain I've addressed successfully with eccentric dumbbell hammer curls usual protocols of 3x sets of 15ish into discomfort but not acute pain...if it makes it sore but then better that's right, if it makes it worse back off.

Sounds like you've done something which has impacted various structures tho...have you been to GP to ask for MRI scan? It must be impacting your work...

Good luck.

[tommy_k]

It might be interesting to know what you have already tried and with what results before everybody bombards you with the standard rehab drills...

You did take some time off to let it heal, right? 

[DaveyDave]

-Deep pain in crease of elbow where bicep meets elbow (set off by compression moves)

Sorry to read this, sounds like a nightmare.

It's ok, not a terrible pain, just enough to be debilitating to my climbing. The frustration is from watching my climbing get worse and worse, and not being able to fix myself. Will try those curls, and good idea - maybe I'll see my GP.

It might be interesting to know what you have already tried and with what results before everybody bombards you with the standard rehab drills...

You did take some time off to let it heal, right? 

Yep good idea!

Yeah, took a couple of months off during my exams last summer and it didn't really improve. Eccentrics don't seem to cause any strain or pain up to really heavy weights. I've tried helping my posture, ulnar glides, pressups, light climbing, heavy climbing, beating myself up with a tennis ball etc but no real breakthroughs

[petejh]

What's your job - use a mouse a lot?

[Boredboy]

Yeah a referral to a specialist for further investigations prob best particularly with clunking. Sounds like a nightmare.

[DaveyDave]

What's your job - use a mouse a lot?

Student - used to use my trackpad loads, but have been making a conscious effort to use my good hand for a while and not much difference.

Yeah a referral to a specialist for further investigations prob best particularly with clunking. Sounds like a nightmare.

Will do - what's the best way to get this sort of thing? Pester my GP or write to hospitals/experts etc?

It's not so bad, I can still climb - there's people with much worse deals than mine!

[abarro81]

Do you do much theraband stuff for shoulders? If not then add that to the list

[TheTwig]

I really would get to your GP asap.

It's kind of wierd you have seemingly have symptoms of multiple conditions, hence maybe why the physios were unable to help you much. I really would scale the climbing down a bit, as it's a pretty safe bet you aren't helping things by climbing! Above all, take it seriously, slow-onset injuries are unlikely to get better on their own.

[RockdoctorUK]

Could be something loose within the joint: I'd recommend seeing your GP and getting an X-ray or scan to rule this out.


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[Boredboy]

Hi Dave, there are 2 options really. Get your gp to refer your to an orthopaedic consultant who specialises in elbows on the NHS or go privately. The NHS may send you to an extended scope Physio who works under the ortho. Either way they then order the appropriate investigations. Or get your gp to refer you to a private ortho consultant of your choice if u have bupa etc. If 7 physios can't help what's another going to do? If your gp orders an x-Ray this won't pick up soft tissue problems like ligament instability etc which needs a good esp / cons examination - investigations. All the best with it.

[SA Chris]

a, b & d sound like Brachioradialis strain. Have you tried the stretches in the Dr Saunders article?

http://www.drjuliansaunders.com/resources/feature_articles/dodgy_elbows/

Not sure about the others though. Where are you based?

[DaveyDave]

Do you do much theraband stuff for shoulders? If not then add that to the list

Yep, been doing the Joe Le Sage stuff

Hi Dave, there are 2 options really. Get your gp to refer your to an orthopaedic consultant who specialises in elbows on the NHS or go privately. The NHS may send you to an extended scope Physio who works under the ortho. Either way they then order the appropriate investigations. Or get your gp to refer you to a private ortho consultant of your choice if u have bupa etc. If 7 physios can't help what's another going to do? If your gp orders an x-Ray this won't pick up soft tissue problems like ligament instability etc which needs a good esp / cons examination - investigations. All the best with it.

Thanks, I'll try this. I had a go last year but the GP said they'd phased out Choose and Book for some other service (MSK?) which meant I couldn't pick who I saw, and the waiting time was too long before a long trip. I've had a particular consultant called Charlie Talbot recommended by a physio, so I might try writing to him to see if there's a special way I can get referred to him.