Crochet and Tendonitis

[Krakovianka]

I've been dealing with tendonitis in my right elbow since June. Unfortunately, I did not know that's what it was. I just kept thinking it would get better, but of course, it did not.

 

I now have tendonitis pain in the inner elbow, as well as on the outer part of the joint, and also in my shoulder. I think *some* of this is due to the weird ways I've used my arm to avoid pain in the elbow, but I'm not sure.

 

I'm treating the tendonitis now, and resting the arm as I should have in the beginning, but...I can't decide if crocheting is part of the problem or not. Sometimes it's painless, other times it's excruciating. I went two weeks without picking up a hook, but that's *hard*.

 

So, my question:

 

If you've had tendonitis, was crocheting an activity that needed to be avoided? And how long did it take to heal?

 

Also--does the type of work make a difference? I don't really notice much pain if I'm using yarn, but my little thread hooks seem to cause more tension/strain.

 

I hate this.

[tnkycrochetnut]

Okay, I can't tell you much about tendonitis in the elbow. But I have had something similar in my foot. But the really weird thing about what I had in my foot was it was the most painful when I got up first thing in the morning. The longer I stood on it or walked on it the less it would hurt. It still hurt but it was not as bad as when I first stood on in the morning.

 

The way you grip your crochet hooks and the amount of pressure you use to hold them could affect your tendonitis. Earlier this year I noticed how my hands and fingers began to hurt after crocheting for very short periods of time. Even though I had a couple of the cushions that slide over your crochet hook body on hand, I decided to treat myself to some new crochet hooks instead. Ones that would be easier to grip. I looked online at the ones that had the bamboo handles. While I was looking online I was crocheting and noticed how I was holding my hook and where I was holding the hook. Because of that I decided against the bamboo hook ones and chose Clover Soft Touch Hooks instead. While they are not "soft" they are easier to grip and the place where you hold them is closer to the hook like I hold my hook. I am in love with them. They make it much easier for me to crochet for longer periods of time without any aches or pains. The ones I bought are for yarn work. I think they have them also for thread work but I am not sure. I will check and see. You might try cushioning your hooks and see if that helps. Or you might treat yourself like I did and buy new hooks.

[rascalsmom]

Karen, I had tendinitis in my right elbow (I am right-handed). Crocheting definitely made if feel WORSE. I went to physical therapy, and it really helped. Now my right elbow is fine. However, my LEFT elbow seems to now have tendinitis. And yes, crocheting aggravates it, too; I think because I am holding my arm in a fixed position for a long time, while crocheting.

 

I found it helpful to crochet for a few minutes, then rest a few minutes. I don't think I ever quit crocheting *completely*, even when going to PT.

 

I can't really answer your question about yarn vs. thread, since I rarely crochet with yarn.

 

I would HIGHLY recommend physical therapy.

[PBLKNP]

I had to take a break from crocheting when my tendinitis got bad years ago. Physical Therapy helped, but I found I really needed to have a good 3-week rest (it was agonizing!). Nowadays, I give myself frequent breaks when I crochet -- 15 minutes crocheting, 15 minutes resting, etc.

[Krakovianka]

On-and-off resting is a good idea...thanks, everyone!

[ufocollector]

I have tendinitis in my right hand. I ran to doctor right away though because I had had surgery on both my hands last year after suffering for years. I healed quickly and wondered why I had waited. Anyhow dr had told me I may still need to have surgery in my right elbow so when i started hurting just thought doc was right. But tendinitis instead and doctor told me when I quit carry my twin neices I was babysitting it would help. He also put me on antiinflamatories and hand excercises and a brace to sleep in. I also had to take a short break from my crochet. Now no meds ( except some alieve when I'm really in a get something done mode ) and ocassionally the brace. The excercises would probably help if i did them more regular Good luck with yours. I feel for your pain and desire to do what you love to do.

[RoseRed]

Are you capable of not crocheting while it's healing? Ibuprofen, ice and rest - standard tendonitis protocol.

[Granny Square]

Rose Red is right, and unfortunately emphasis on the REST. I've had tendonitis in both wrists and 1 elbow, for the wrist they actually gave me a cast (that came off to sleep) to wear for 6 weeks. It seems that once you get it, it only takes a whisper of over-doing to bright it back; I try not to crochet more than a couple of hours a day. I really think you should stop for a few weeks, at least a couple, to let yourself heal, and then ease back gradually. Sorry you're hurting

[20Mary08]

I have rheumatoid tendonitis in both hands. I do tend to push the envelope a bit, especially with crocheting. Then I take a break for a while and I'm back at it again. Call me crazy!

[Krakovianka]

I did take a break for about two weeks. I am capable of taking a break...just don't *really* want to. Especially with Christmas coming up.

 

I appreciate all the input. I'd have to be a lot more desperate than I am right now to think about surgery, but I am considering therapy, and buying a hand-held ultrasound machine to treat the scar tissue. Right now I've got medication and I'm using ice/massage. I've cut WAY back on crocheting---my norm is a couple hours every evening and occasionally even some day-time crocheting, but not now.

 

If any of you with experience could point me toward some appropriate exercise for elbow tendonitis, I'd be very grateful!

[LI Roe]

A few years ago I had tendonitis (twice) in my right hand by a particular finger. Don't ask, LOL. I went to an orthopaedic surgeon, both times I was given a cortisone shot and it disappeared and never returned. I am right handed and kept crocheting a little, found it was actually better when I did though the doctor told me not to. I tried to make a deal with him, said I would only crochet 15 minutes and he laughed. I said it hurt less, he said it was because of the movement crocheting that would warm up the area.

 

Fortunately, mine wasn't a severe case. If it is really excruciating, then I would definitely go see a specialist.

 

Good luck and take care.

 

LI Roe

[Granny Square]

Seriously, excercise is the last thing you want. That would be like picking off the scab every time one formed over a wound. Rest and heal. Do not buy one of those braces that you can buy for carpal tunnel, that is the worst thing you can do because it forces you to work harder against the brace, causing more injury to your tendon. (trust me, this is how I got tendonitis in the wrists, with a restrictive appliance to fix another problem).

[HappyOldCro]

It depends on the type of tendonitis you have. There is a type that occurs in people with poor circulation in the affected area. This is called degenerative tendonitis and will not heal with excercise or use, because there isn't enough blood getting to the tendon to keep it healthy and it will continue to tear and rip. In the worst case scenario, it may not heal without excercise, depending upon the blood circulation problem.

Whereas common tendonitis, or one that was caused by injury, if caught in time can be treated and healed with prescriptions and (this is the key word) Eventually physical therapy.

Did your doctor determine which kind you had?

[chrissyf]

I am almost a year out from elbow surgery. My problem was nerve impingement in the elbow from having the elbow bent and/or leaning on hard or semi hard surfaces for long periods of time. I do not work so i tend to crochet many hours a day...at least 12. Changing how i rested elbow and taking a break to stretch it out helped. I was given carpal tunnel stretching exercises at PT for home and it definitly helps to do them every hour that i am working on things