Tennis (crochet) Elbow Help!

[lilygirl115]

So I go to the orthopedic doctor because I have developed really bad tennis elbow. I am thinking it is from lifting hand weights or attempting (not succeeding) push ups. He tells me it is from crocheting.

 

Even wearing a brace, I can't crochet without severe pain after. Anyone else ever have this? What can I do? I am in the middle of a beautiful afghan and I just have to sit and look at it.

[LI Roe]

I'm sorry to hear about your tennis elbow. I've never experienced it but wondering if it is the way you are holding your hook, possibly too tight, or if you are moving your arm or wrist a certain way?

 

Hope you feel better soon.

 

LI Roe

[beccalovely]

I really feel for you, tendonits/tennis elbow/RSI is not pleasant at all, and it must be incredibly frustrating that it is hampering your crochet time too. 

I haven't had this from crocheting, but have had a wrist RSI when I used to work in an office. 

 

I was wondering, do you have practitioners called Occupational Therapists in the US? If you do and they're the same as in the UK, they're not simply for work as the name may mistakenly suggest - they are there for any 'occupation' whether that be employment or a hobby. They are specially trained to help in circumstances such as this, when the 'occupation' is causing you physical difficulty or pain. If you have them, it may be worth contacting one. Over here a GP (family doctor) would refer you free on the NHS, but I'm guessing this may not be free in the US. If you can find one, they should be able to analyse your technique and make suggestions about alternatives to protect your elbow for example. 

 

Above all, essentially the muscles and tendons in the elbow have become inflamed. Overwork and strain triggers and inflammatory response, causing tenseness and stiffness, and therefore pain. With this in mind, anything you would usually do to reduce inflammation could be of benefit, for example applying cold and resting the area whilst it recovers. Anti-inflammatory medications have a place, but it is important to remember that as they may mask the pain, you risk using the joint without realising you are furthering the damage. 

 

After a few initial days of rest, maybe even up to a couple of weeks, you could gently try easing yourself back in to crocheting. When you do go back to it be sure to only crochet for short periods, and take lots of lengthy rest breaks in between. You mentioned there were other things you thought may have caused it - whilst crochet may be the culprit, if these other activities are new they could be a factor, so that is worth considering. 

 

I really hope it recovers soon, and obviously any advice I give does not replace that of a doctor, I'm a nurse and not a specialist in this area, it is simply intended as general informal advice. 

 

Hope it helps a little bit

 

Becca x

[tobybob]

I had tendonitis in both elbows and my left was my worse and I'm right handed. I was a waitress for many years and I always carried two coffee pots around to refill coffee. It took a toll on my left arm. I started out in physical therapy and it wasn't enough so I was sent to occupational therapy and there they took a cup that they had frozen and rubbed it on my arm and elbow area until it was as cold as I could stand then they used an ultra sound wand and massaged the area. It worked. I bowled for awhile and I crocheted. I recommend you go to occupational therapy first if you can.

[Granny Square]

Agree with Becca 100%.  I've had tennis elbow (from overzealous yardwork) and deQuervain's tendonitis (wrist - caused by computer mousing while wearing a brace for another problem   )

 

Tendonitis is an injury.  It needs to heal.  It's the same as fracturing a leg bone, you wouldn't say "but I really want to play tennis today" if that were the case.

 

Put down the hook.  Now.  Leave it down for a few weeks.  Really.  DON'T WORK WITH THE BRACE.  IT'S THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO.  You are forcing your arm to work against the brace, which is causing the tendonitis to get worse.

 

Even after a few weeks to heal, (In my experience) tendonitis never heals 100%.  It just settles down to a dull roar.  It only takes the tiniest thing to set it off in a full fury all over again.  You are going to have to take it easy on the crochet from now on, and find exercises that are easier on the joints.   I know I can't crochet or knit for more thatn 2-3 hours a day, and I take a few days off when it starts to bother me again.

[wheat]

For now, it would be best to find out from your physician the best way to handle the injury and allow it time to heal (which may be unhappily longer than you would like)

 

He may also advise you how to help avoid a repeat, for example I wear a tennis elbow strap most of the time except when sleeping - that was on advice of the doc. 

 

There are also "pepper" creams that your physician may be able to help you locate - invaluable to me when healing for deep muscle pain and ongoing after long sessions especially with joints where the arthritis is continuing to be painful. 

[Jsilvers]

This kind of injury happened to me also.  Part of the damage resulted from the time I spent at my computer, mousing around.  So, I learned lefthanded mousing.

 

For a while, I wore a brace, but I found that I recovered better without it, since I was (am) too stubborn to stop work.

 

That was over 20 years ago, and I've had no trouble since.

[papersmiles]

Lots of good advice given.  My "strained elbow" was the result of too much gardening, lifting and twisting.  It took a year to actually "heal" through rest and NSAID's  (aspirin or ibuprofen).  I never had to stop crocheting all together but I did have to give up my tighter thread crochet for a while.  I am a tight crocheter and the tension was a bit too much.  I learned to use a pillow under my elbow and forearm to keep from trying to support my arm through my elbow.  After more than 5 years of relatively pain free crocheting, I still use a pillow to support my arm.  It keeps my arm from getting too tired.