Tennis Elbow - Should I be using the Flex Bar if feeling pain?

[jimrawr]

I recently started playing tennis back around this past October. Whenever I would play, after the match I would feel slight discomfort/soreness around the elbow, but it was VERY slight. I would only feel it if I really extended/straightened my elbow, and even then it was very minor. This pain would go away after 24 hours, and I just figured it was normal soreness, just like my legs get sore after playing some soccer. Didnt think much of it.

Fast forward to January, and after a game my arm really hurt right on the elbow bone. Didnt feel any pain at all during the match, the pain came after. Looks and sounds like its tennis elbow. So after some research I found the thera band flex bar (red). When I use it doing the tyler twist, I feel pain during, and after I am finished. Its not muscle pain from the tension, its pain right on the bone. So now I am wondering if this is making it worse or better..? Its been almost 2 weeks since the original injury (haven't played since).

I use a Prince Warrior 100 (66 stiffness) with NXT multifilament strung at 55lbs.

Right now the elbow only hurts sometimes lifting things, or if I try to straighten it completely. Otherwise no pain really. So my question is, should I be doing the tyler twist daily even if it give pain during the exercise, as well as soreness after? Maybe thats the whole point, and its helping? Or maybe its just re-injuring the tendon every time..?

Open to other advice as well. 33 year old male, FYI.

 

[volusiano]

I use the Flex bar as a preventive measure, strengthening exercise. I don't wait until I have really bad TE before I pull it out and use it.

That being said, if I feel some slight twinge/pain after a tennis session, I'm not afraid to pull it out and doing the exercise right away, a few times before my next tennis session. This seems to help me recover from any hint of TE quickly before my next tennis session.

But if I'm already injured with TE pretty badly, I'd lay off from using it until I feel pretty well recovered (maybe 90% or more) before I'd pick it up and use it again.

I think the Flex bar helps as a preventive measure from catching TE, not as a cure after you've caught TE badly. But it can also help as a recovery aid from very mild TE.

 

[Chas Tennis]

If you tear a tendon and continue to stress it, especially with the same activity that caused the injury, you risk tendinosis or defective healing. I've read the times can be very short as healing begins immediately when injured. Besides preventing optimal healing with stress, the injury may progress.

Search: tendon injury nuthouse
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=442912

Understand the difference between tendinitis (with inflammation) and tendinosis (with defective completed healing).

Research healing times.

Preventive exercises or stretches intended for healthy tissues are not intended for unknown injuries.

You should stop stressing your injury and see a well qualified Dr for a firm diagnosis and treatment. Research what is going on.

In January, did you just propagate the tear and increase the area where the edge of the tendon is peeling off the bone? And that caused the new pain.

Sorry for the downer but if you try to see how you will do for a very short time - many tennis players do that - and stress the injury while it is healing you greatly increase your risk of chronic tendinosis and lose your opportunity for optimal healing.

 

[Tight Lines]

If it hurts, you should stop it immediately. When I had TE, I think I rested for couple of months. Then, cautiously, I started with the red flex bar. After the exercise, I would feel something around the elbow, but wouldn't characterize it as pain. After a couple of more months, I transitioned to the green bar.

Once you cure your TE, I would suggest looking at your stroke mechanics that might be stressing the tendon unnecessarily, especially forehand and one handed backhand.

In my case, I think it was a combination of muscling the ball too much on the forehand, and trying to put heavy underspin on the backhand slice shot that caused TE. Recording myself and my son who plays also helped to figure it out.

Good luck.

Harry

 

[jimrawr]

Thanks for the help guys. I will stop with the flexbar for now. I am hoping I stopped soon enough (literally havent played after that game, and didnt feel pain during that match). I am hoping this goes away within a few weeks but reading on this forum seems like that will be a miracle if it happens.

Will work on strengthening once it recovers, as well as taking lessons.

The racket and strings/tension shouldnt really be a culprit, right? Seems like to me its more technique and strengthening thats needed.

 

[volusiano]

The racket and strings/tension shouldnt really be a culprit, right? Seems like to me its more technique and strengthening thats needed.

The Prince Warrior 100 ESP spec from TW is 10.8oz strung, which is a medium light racket, 68 stiffness (you said 66) which I think is fairly stiff but not the stiffess, and 2 pts HL.

An ideal TE friendly racket spec should be on the heavier side (upward to 12 oz or more) to absorb impact better, less stiff (low 60 or less) for obvious reason, and more head light (preferrably 6 or 8 points HL or more) for better balance in favor of minimizing stress on the elbow when held in hand.

So I think while your Prince Warrior 100 is not necessarily the culprit for TE, it's not necessarily an ideal TE friendly racket either.

Multifilament string strung at 55 lbs is not bad. At least it's not poly strung at 65 lbs. So it's probably not your TE culprit either. But if you can afford natural gut, at least it will remove string as a factor from your TE equation.

I think technique is probably your biggest culprit at this point, since you said you only started playing since last October, so I assume you're new to tennis. So tennis lesson for correct technique should be the right approach. The most common mistakes I see from beginners is that they try to muscle the ball with just their arm only (using their wrist and elbow and shoulder as pivot points), making it very prone to TE. Tennis lessons should teach you to lock your wrist on all strokes and use your body rotation to strike the ball instead of your arm (by muscling the ball with your wrist or elbow or shoulder).

For beginners, I highly recommend a very affordable training aid like the PermaWrist to help you develop the good habit of locking your wrist on your strokes. This will give you a good foundation to develop your strokes upon which in turn also helps avoid bad techniques that lead to TE. My wife, who's a beginner, is using one. I also made sure she uses a heavier, less stiff, head light racket strung with full natural gut bed. So far no TE for her, even though she doesn't use the Flex bar for strengthening exercise like I do.

 

[BMC9670]

When I was recovering from shoulder surgery, my doctor's and physical therapist's general rule of thumb when working with therabands, flex bar, or stretching was go up to the point of discomfort or mild pain, but back off if pain is sharp or lasting. Have you seen a doctor or physio?

 

[jimrawr]

The Prince Warrior 100 ESP spec from TW is 10.8oz strung, which is a medium light racket, 68 stiffness (you said 66) which I think is fairly stiff but not the stiffess, and 2 pts HL.

An ideal TE friendly racket spec should be on the heavier side (upward to 12 oz or more) to absorb impact better, less stiff (low 60 or less) for obvious reason, and more head light (preferrably 6 or 8 points HL or more) for better balance in favor of minimizing stress on the elbow when held in hand.

So I think while your Prince Warrior 100 is not necessarily the culprit for TE, it's not necessarily an ideal TE friendly racket either.

Multifilament string strung at 55 lbs is not bad. At least it's not poly strung at 65 lbs. So it's probably not your TE culprit either. But if you can afford natural gut, at least it will remove string as a factor from your TE equation.

I think technique is probably your biggest culprit at this point, since you said you only started playing since last October, so I assume you're new to tennis. So tennis lesson for correct technique should be the right approach. The most common mistakes I see from beginners is that they try to muscle the ball with just their arm only (using their wrist and elbow and shoulder as pivot points), making it very prone to TE. Tennis lessons should teach you to lock your wrist on all strokes and use your body rotation to strike the ball instead of your arm (by muscling the ball with your wrist or elbow or shoulder).

For beginners, I highly recommend a very affordable training aid like the PermaWrist to help you develop the good habit of locking your wrist on your strokes. This will give you a good foundation to develop your strokes upon which in turn also helps avoid bad techniques that lead to TE. My wife, who's a beginner, is using one. I also made sure she uses a heavier, less stiff, head light racket strung with full natural gut bed. So far no TE for her, even though she doesn't use the Flex bar for strengthening exercise like I do.

thanks for the info. I have the warrior 100 not 100 esp. I will look into that permawrist

 

[jimrawr]

When I was recovering from shoulder surgery, my doctor's and physical therapist's general rule of thumb when working with therabands, flex bar, or stretching was go up to the point of discomfort or mild pain, but back off if pain is sharp or lasting. Have you seen a doctor or physio?

No I dont think I'm at that point yet.. will wait a few weeks and see how its progressing

 

[Tight Lines]

. . . Multifilament string strung at 55 lbs is not bad. At least it's not poly strung at 65 lbs. So it's probably not your TE culprit either. But if you can afford natural gut, at least it will remove string as a factor from your TE equation.

I had TE and changed my setup racket from Babolat APD with poly to Prince Response 97 with multi-filament (HEAD RIP Control) strung at 55 lbs. The new setup feels much softer.

I think technique is probably your biggest culprit at this point, since you said you only started playing since last October, so I assume you're new to tennis. So tennis lesson for correct technique should be the right approach. The most common mistakes I see from beginners is that they try to muscle the ball with just their arm only (using their wrist and elbow and shoulder as pivot points), making it very prone to TE. Tennis lessons should teach you to lock your wrist on all strokes and use your body rotation to strike the ball instead of your arm (by muscling the ball with your wrist or elbow or shoulder).

For beginners, I highly recommend a very affordable training aid like the PermaWrist to help you develop the good habit of locking your wrist on your strokes. This will give you a good foundation to develop your strokes upon which in turn also helps avoid bad techniques that lead to TE. My wife, who's a beginner, is using one. I also made sure she uses a heavier, less stiff, head light racket strung with full natural gut bed. So far no TE for her, even though she doesn't use the Flex bar for strengthening exercise like I do.

Thanks for the free advertising and recommendation :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen: See my avatar to the left.

Harry

 

[max]

OP: I'm just getting back after 20 months off; damaged my forearm muscles as well as severe TE.

Best to stop playing for a couple of months. Give it two months off.

And when you get back, be sure to take it real easy. And rest a day or two before going out again! Perhaps ice it at first, even if you don't yet feel pain.

Better safe than sorry or you'll dig yourself into a hole like I did.

 

[jimrawr]

yea the pain is lingering when i straighten my arm.... what a disaster i played tennis for 3 months, max twice a week and then this happens

 

[shindemac]

20 months is a long time. Don't dig a hole. Stop playing and let it heal.

 

[jimrawr]

Oh yeah I dont plan on playing until I feel literally zero pain in the elbow when doing normal activities. Then I will take it REALLLLY slowly.

 

[movdqa]

I use it for prevention and strengthening. I don't ever recall pain from using. I started using it after switching from a stiffer frame to one that wasn't as harsh.

I have the problem of not being able to straighten out my right arm but it doesn't hurt.

You might want to try resting it to the point where there isn't any pain for a while and then try the flexbar again or you might go straight to see a doctor to look at it in case it's a different type of problem which would benefit from professional care.

 

[jimrawr]

Just to update this thread..

The pain has not gone away at all, or even seemingly gotten better at all. This isnt good, its been over a month since the injury. I have done NOTHING extenuating with the elbow since the injury, just day to day activity stuff. I tried icing it, I tried warming it. I tried epsom salts, I tried the flex bar (stopped since it was painful though).

Today I started acupuncture. Found a nice Groupon for $79 for two treatments. In my first session, they treated my opposite arm and should blade, wtf? I've never done acupuncture before. When we first sat down, she was trying to feel where the pain was (directly on the bone) and the pain was very sharp to the touch. When she would squeeze a bit, it would literally make me flinch. After the therapy, that area wasnt nearly as sore. I can put a LOT of pressure on that bone and I dont feel that same pain at all. This is really wierd to me since nothing even on that arm was treated, I dont get it. Alas, its the truth. So I am hoping that in another 4-5 treatments the pain will be significantly reduced. The woman told me she treats tennis elbow regularly and has great success with it. I asked her quite frankly "Will this work or am I wasting my time", and she confidently responded that she knew it would help the pain as a matter of fact.

Time will tell I guess, I will fill you all in. This injury really sucks.

 

[vantageboy]

Shes Right

have her do dry needling and wear a compression sleeve during the day then start some A.R.T. message to break up scar tissue. good luck

 

[Chas Tennis]

............ This isnt good, its been over a month since the injury. I have done NOTHING extenuating with the elbow since the injury, just day to day activity stuff. ..................

If you have stayed off it completely that is a very big positive. The pain is telling you what you should do, it's useful.

I am no expert on healing times. You need to see a well qualified Dr for a diagnosis, treatment and to know what you can do.

Do your own research until you have a confident knowledge of the minimum time for a tendon injury to heal under favorable conditions.

My Golfer's Elbow minor injuries have hurt for about 3 months from the time of injury under no stress. At minimum 3 months, the pain went away and I slowly went back to tennis. I took time to get in shape and started very slowly. (I got one GE injury by coming back from another injury and starting too quickly - that 2nd 3 months off period really was a downer.) My experience is not what people should do. But I see healing as a minimum of 3 months with no stress and you are upset that things are not returning to normal in 1 month. You need more accurate information on tendon healing times.

So at one month and no stress since injury you sound OK, except you don't have a Dr for some simple treatment instructions. See a Dr and ask if a good approach is to simply avoid stressful activity for a time? How long?

 

[movdqa]

My injuries are long past thankfully but I was out for about six months. Every once in a while, I'd try to hit and make it through about four balls and have to quit.

Friends that have had shoulder surgery have reported layoffs of six months.

Fortunately I like running so I have something else to do while waiting.

 

[Tight Lines]

Just to update this thread..
...
Today I started acupuncture. Found a nice Groupon for $79 for two treatments. In my first session, they treated my opposite arm and should blade, wtf? I've never done acupuncture before. When we first sat down, she was trying to feel where the pain was (directly on the bone) and the pain was very sharp to the touch. When she would squeeze a bit, it would literally make me flinch. After the therapy, that area wasnt nearly as sore. I can put a LOT of pressure on that bone and I dont feel that same pain at all. This is really wierd to me since nothing even on that arm was treated, I dont get it. Alas, its the truth. So I am hoping that in another 4-5 treatments the pain will be significantly reduced. The woman told me she treats tennis elbow regularly and has great success with it. I asked her quite frankly "Will this work or am I wasting my time", and she confidently responded that she knew it would help the pain as a matter of fact.

Time will tell I guess, I will fill you all in. This injury really sucks.

I would be very very careful if I were you. Acupuncture is good for somethings, but it is not a cure. What it's doing is basically masking the pain. Just because acupuncture makes you feel less pain, does not mean your tendon is getting better. In fact, if you continue to play tennis because you feel better, you might aggravate the situation.

I would see a doctor first. At the very least, do not do anything until the pain goes away without any medication or acupuncture. JMHO.

Harry

 

[jimrawr]

After 3 sessions of acupuncture I stopped going. I think it was giving me some immediate pain relief but it would slowly just come back after a few hours. Now I am still sore and no where in sight of playing tennis again.

As far as going to a doctor, I am not sure where to start. I feel like if I go see my general practitioner he will just tell me its tennis elbow and I need to stay off it. What type of doctors specialize in this injury that can give me some sort of help other than identification of the problem?

 

[Ironliver]

My general practicioner referred me to sports medicine doctor, who in turn prescribed physical therapy, which helped a bit. He can also recommend TE-specific exercises as well.

 

[tennisdad65]

Stiffness rating of 66... That will do it.

Rest for a long while, then go with something sub 60, with natural gut @ 40-45 lbs.. yes.. a rocket launcher but you be pain free in your arm.

 

[speedysteve]

Sorry to hear of continued problems.

I got my red Flexbar (10lb to U-bend) over a month ago and have been doing the 3 x 15 reps of the 3 exercises on Jamie's G.E. youtube vid, religiously - 3 time a day.
I do 6 or even 7 times a week. I just seem to like doing them everyday!

I decided it was time to go up to the green Flexbar (15lb to U-bend) after a month. Did the first set of reps yesterday evening - def feel it more in my arm today.
Not G.E. feeling though - which is good.

I plan on a month of Green bar and then up to the blue bar (25lb to U-bend) - but will take it easy on that one as it's a big jump!

I'm also going to start to use the Red bar and do T.E. exercises (reverse of G.E. ones), just to make sure that area is up to scratch.
Will wind them in slowly... even though I have no T.E. issues - always good to start slowly.

 

[mikeler]

Sorry to hear of continued problems.

I got my red Flexbar (10lb to U-bend) over a month ago and have been doing the 3 x 15 reps of the 3 exercises on Jamie's G.E. youtube vid, religiously - 3 time a day.
I do 6 or even 7 times a week. I just seem to like doing them everyday!

I decided it was time to go up to the green Flexbar (15lb to U-bend) after a month. Did the first set of reps yesterday evening - def feel it more in my arm today.
Not G.E. feeling though - which is good.

I plan on a month of Green bar and then up to the blue bar (25lb to U-bend) - but will take it easy on that one as it's a big jump!

I'm also going to start to use the Red bar and do T.E. exercises (reverse of G.E. ones), just to make sure that area is up to scratch.
Will wind them in slowly... even though I have no T.E. issues - always good to start slowly.

Steve,

I would stop at the Green flexbar for TE. When I tried to make the jump up to the blue, it aggravated my elbow again. Then I started thinking "Wait, my elbow feels fine with the green. What am I doing!".

I didn't have problems with GE with the blue though. Just wanted to relay my personal experience since I used to be a religious flexbar user (daily for awhile). Good luck!

 

[movdqa]

The Flexbar should take care of GE and TE if you do both directions in your exercise regimen. I like it in that it works both arms and both sides of the arm. I use the Green one because we have one in the gym. I was thinking of getting the blue bar but am undecided as the green one does a good job. It would be nice if I could find one to try out. I consider the green one to be pretty easy now.

 

[speedysteve]

Sage words

Steve,

I would stop at the Green flexbar for TE. When I tried to make the jump up to the blue, it aggravated my elbow again. Then I started thinking "Wait, my elbow feels fine with the green. What am I doing!".

I didn't have problems with GE with the blue though. Just wanted to relay my personal experience since I used to be a religious flexbar user (daily for awhile). Good luck!

Yes, blue bar seems a big hike - Green gives a nice feeling of resistivity but not over doing it. See how I feel on green after a month and then your words will be in my head as I think about dabbling with blue...
Perhaps blue is for Popeye's only

 

[mikeler]

Yes, blue bar seems a big hike - Green gives a nice feeling of resistivity but not over doing it. See how I feel on green after a month and then your words will be in my head as I think about dabbling with blue...
Perhaps blue is for Popeye's only

Popeye is jealous is of my right forearm. The blue is a beast!

 

[Tight Lines]

After 3 sessions of acupuncture I stopped going. I think it was giving me some immediate pain relief but it would slowly just come back after a few hours. Now I am still sore and no where in sight of playing tennis again.

Yep, that was exactly what I was concerned about: masking of pain.....

When I went to my doctor, he just took an x-ray and said, nothing broken... Well duh....

I think the only way to tell how severe your TE is to do an MRI. X-rays won't show anything.

Harry

 

[jimrawr]

Yep, that was exactly what I was concerned about: masking of pain.....

When I went to my doctor, he just took an x-ray and said, nothing broken... Well duh....

I think the only way to tell how severe your TE is to do an MRI. X-rays won't show anything.

Harry

Yeah I dont have a great insurance policy, so I don't see a point of spending $300 to go and be told "yep you have tennis elbow, stay off it".

 

[jimrawr]

Stiffness rating of 66... That will do it.

Rest for a long while, then go with something sub 60, with natural gut @ 40-45 lbs.. yes.. a rocket launcher but you be pain free in your arm.

You really think that's what it is? I thought 66 was somewhere in the middle and not considered "stiff"..?

 

[jimrawr]

Im going to try some DMSO cream tomorrow and see if that helps. I also orered a new elbow brace, the one I tried first really didnt help me one bit.

Trying this one now..

Felt like this one did not help one bit

 

[jimrawr]

Here is the DMSO cream in case anyone reads this and wants to give it a shot

I will follow up in this thread to maybe help someone else in the future. Hoping the DMSO cream helps, lots of positive reviews on it

 

[movdqa]

You really think that's what it is? I thought 66 was somewhere in the middle and not considered "stiff"..?

I was using the Pro Staff 88 which is around 67 and got a bad case of TE. I had use the Pure Drive Roddick in the past but it seems that my arm has been able to take progressively less stiffness with age. I can't seem to play with frames over 62 these days.

The overall range for the vast majority is probably 56 to 75 so 66 doesn't sound that bad but there are frames at 62 that feel stiffer than other frames at 67. So the number is a guideline but not absolute. The YT Prestige MP and IG Prestige MP are both 62 but the YT feels a lot stiffer when you hit with it than the IG. I will likely go below 60s at some point in the future but what I have now is working for me.

I took about six months off from my last TE - I tried really arm-friendly racquets and tried hitting every once in a while but what got me through it was a long time away from tennis.

 

[Shbeals]

I suffered with TE last summer and I tried almost everything to bring some relief and nothing worked. Finally I went to a massage therapist who has worked with pro athletes in Chicago for years. Bottom line, two months off, therapy once a week, ice every night and a steady course of Ibuprofen. I also switched to a Softer racket and string setup and knock on wood... I've been pain free since. I wish the OP luck, it's one of the more frustrating injuries to have.

 

[tennisdad65]

You really think that's what it is? I thought 66 was somewhere in the middle and not considered "stiff"..?

It depends on the person, but for me 60 is the cutoff. I use a RA 50 racquet most of the time (copper ace) and every now and then will pull out a more modern ~58 RA racquet (Black ace 98, Redondo, or Volkl PB mid) ..

There are guys on here that will swear that the latest racquet technology makes 66-70 playable (pro kennex especially). I have tested most of these RA60+ racquets (all pro kennex and other arm friendly) and can feel the vibration within minutes. I am very lucky that I can feel the vibration before it hurts me. It just depends on how sensitive your arm is.

Age does make a difference. I used a RA63 (POG OS) racquet in my 20s and played for 15+ hrs a week with no issue. Same racquet 20 yrs later was no good for me. I see older guys with popeye arms use elbow bands all the time.

 

[redclayny]

jimrawr - I'm currently experiencing a very similar situation as you. It's been almost 8 weeks since I've been on a tennis court.
Like you, I have not seen a doctor, but done a ton of research. It seems like a waste of money, but I made need to see a doctor to get a perscription for a Phys. Therapist.
Anyway, I'm finally starting to think I'm starting to heal . . . or just getting used to the pain.
I don't play tennis, but I don't rest. I go to the gym almost everyday to workout, and also do specific exercises for my arm. I use the flexbar and stretch all day long.
Also, I take hundreds of shadow strokes every week, especially on my backhand. Contrary to common belief, I think this is important. By correcting my form, I believe I'll reduce of injury in the future.
Also, I may start playing before I'm fully healed, while I continue to use the flexbar and exercise.
I may wait another month before I start, but i'm tempted to go out and hit to see how it feels.
Good luck with your TE.

 

[redclayny]

Jimraww - I forgot to say that I also massage my arm constantly and have had a massage therapist work on my arm, too. This is extremely important. In my case, I've pinpointed where my muscle is knotted, and still trying to work it out.

 

[jimrawr]

jimrawr - I'm currently experiencing a very similar situation as you. It's been almost 8 weeks since I've been on a tennis court.
Like you, I have not seen a doctor, but done a ton of research. It seems like a waste of money, but I made need to see a doctor to get a perscription for a Phys. Therapist.
Anyway, I'm finally starting to think I'm starting to heal . . . or just getting used to the pain.
I don't play tennis, but I don't rest. I go to the gym almost everyday to workout, and also do specific exercises for my arm. I use the flexbar and stretch all day long.
Also, I take hundreds of shadow strokes every week, especially on my backhand. Contrary to common belief, I think this is important. By correcting my form, I believe I'll reduce of injury in the future.
Also, I may start playing before I'm fully healed, while I continue to use the flexbar and exercise.
I may wait another month before I start, but i'm tempted to go out and hit to see how it feels.
Good luck with your TE.

Sorry to hear you are suffering from the same ailment My elboe hurts too much to do any real activities even if I wanted to. Sometimes I feel pain just lifting a cup of water. When I try to lift the tennis racquet, there is a lot of pain so theres really no way for me to get out and play even If I wanted to.

Good luck to you as well, let me know if you find a miracle cure!!!

 

[jimrawr]

update: I've been using DSMO cream now for about a week or so. The first 4 days I was using it 3 times a day, then I stopped for a couple days since it gave me a bit of a rash. Started using again yesterday and will again today.

I think I have had a rather large decrease in pain (was noticeable after the first 3 days of using the cream). I can extend/open my arm further before feeling any pain, and I also notice pain in day to day things is way less significant. For example lifting a glass of water, it had gotten to a point where I was prepared for the pain prior to lifting the glass. Now I dont even think about it anymore and dont feel it (occasionally still will).

Im trying to be really objective because this could be a placebo effect, but I really think its not. The pain is really reduced, although its not GONE. It could just be that another week has past and the pain is reduced, but right now I would recommend DSMO cream to anyone fighting tennis elbow.

Oh, also I started using a new elbow brace exactly at the same time I started DSMO so it could be that as well. Can't be positive.. I am hoping in another 4 weeks I can get back out there

 

[aussie]

Guys don't want to go into this too deeply because you can read my battle against TE in my PRP injection thread and my 2 year long battle against this debilitating condition. Suffice to say that following just about every possible treatment incl cortesone inj, 2 PRP inj, braces, creams, acupuncture, ART, intensive physio with ultrasound, Flexbar etc etc etc and finally undergoing common extensor repair surgery I am now about 80% over TE and back to playing hard competitive tennis very close to pain free AND using a one handed bh pain free.

For me if I had to really identify what helped me turn the corner and get me back to tennis it was dropping all eccentric exercises incl Flexbar and weights, concentrating on rolling the extensor muscles religiously, stretching and range of motion exercises AND getting the right racquet and strings.

I figured if I could get the right racquet and strings the exercise I would get from actually hitting balls would be sufficient to replace eccentric weight drops to strengthen the muscle and tendon attachment. And so it panned out - rolling, stretching, ROM exercises, elbow brace for security and a Prince EXO3 Tour 18x20 with Isospeed Professional 17 multi strung at 46 got me back playing pain free.

The racquets RDC is 52 and while I would prefer natural gut the very humid sub tropical weather in Brisbane prevents that. I'm no fan of Prince's port technology but after an adjustment period to get used to both the port technology and the super flex of the frame, I'm really of the opinion that I would not be on the court playing pain free with another stick.

So when it's all said and done, you can get all the treatment and do all the exercises in the world, but if you want to play tennis again the right racquet and string combo to reduce the ball contact shock from aggravating the tendon attachment has to be the number one priority.

I realise that not all will agree with me, but the above certainly is how I was able to play again after almost 2 years of despair.

PS I forgot to mention that I also do a lot of grip strengthening work (both grip squeezers and foam ball) to get and keep my grip and forearm muscles strong, so it is not entirely rolling, stretching and ROM. My bad. aussie

 

[volusiano]

update: I've been using DSMO cream now for about a week or so. The first 4 days I was using it 3 times a day, then I stopped for a couple days since it gave me a bit of a rash. Started using again yesterday and will again today.

I think I have had a rather large decrease in pain (was noticeable after the first 3 days of using the cream). I can extend/open my arm further before feeling any pain, and I also notice pain in day to day things is way less significant. For example lifting a glass of water, it had gotten to a point where I was prepared for the pain prior to lifting the glass. Now I dont even think about it anymore and dont feel it (occasionally still will).

Im trying to be really objective because this could be a placebo effect, but I really think its not. The pain is really reduced, although its not GONE. It could just be that another week has past and the pain is reduced, but right now I would recommend DSMO cream to anyone fighting tennis elbow.

Oh, also I started using a new elbow brace exactly at the same time I started DSMO so it could be that as well. Can't be positive.. I am hoping in another 4 weeks I can get back out there

When I had TE a long time ago I tried the CT Cream for about a month and it didn't help so I returned the unused portion back for their money back guarantee and they did refund me.

I had the same problem with using the cream a little too much causing a rash on my skin. I didn't notice any improvement at all. I called them up and they said to give it more time and I did but in the end it still didn't help so I returned it.

 

[mikeler]

Guys don't want to go into this too deeply because you can read my battle against TE in my PRP injection thread and my 2 year long battle against this debilitating condition. Suffice to say that following just about every possible treatment incl cortesone inj, 2 PRP inj, braces, creams, acupuncture, ART, intensive physio with ultrasound, Flexbar etc etc etc and finally undergoing common extensor repair surgery I am now about 80% over TE and back to playing hard competitive tennis very close to pain free AND using a one handed bh pain free.

For me if I had to really identify what helped me turn the corner and get me back to tennis it was dropping all eccentric exercises incl Flexbar and weights, concentrating on rolling the extensor muscles religiously, stretching and range of motion exercises AND getting the right racquet and strings.

I figured if I could get the right racquet and strings the exercise I would get from actually hitting balls would be sufficient to replace eccentric weight drops to strengthen the muscle and tendon attachment. And so it panned out - rolling, stretching, ROM exercises, elbow brace for security and a Prince EXO3 Tour 18x20 with Isospeed Professional 17 multi strung at 46 got me back playing pain free.

The racquets RDC is 52 and while I would prefer natural gut the very humid sub tropical weather in Brisbane prevents that. I'm no fan of Prince's port technology but after an adjustment period to get used to both the port technology and the super flex of the frame, I'm really of the opinion that I would not be on the court playing pain free with another stick.

So when it's all said and done, you can get all the treatment and do all the exercises in the world, but if you want to play tennis again the right racquet and string combo to reduce the ball contact shock from aggravating the tendon attachment has to be the number one priority.

I realise that not all will agree with me, but the above certainly is how I was able to play again after almost 2 years of despair.

PS I forgot to mention that I also do a lot of grip strengthening work (both grip squeezers and foam ball) to get and keep my grip and forearm muscles strong, so it is not entirely rolling, stretching and ROM. My bad. aussie

That was the frame that finally cleared my TE problems as well. I will say that my current frame I believe is even more arm friendly due to the more open string pattern and the double bridge technology (basically a built in vibration dampener). I've been using full poly now for about a year and a half with no arm problems.

With all that said ^^^, your current frame works. Don't switch!

 

[tennisdad65]

.. a Prince EXO3 Tour 18x20 .. The racquets RDC is 52

That looks like something I need to try. I always thought that the Redondo mid was the best modern racquet for TE, but looking at the specs, the Prince EXO3 Tour 16x18 or 18x20 may be better.

 

[Alien]

I have had TE since end of December 2014. Went to a doctor who said: no tennis for two months, made me an eco which showed calcification and a 2mm cut in the tendon. He recommended me PRP and ibuprofen plus physioterapy.

I did none after researching a lot in the net. PRP stil lnot clear (and quite expensive), two months could be whatever he wants to tell me.

I have kept playing although I avoided hitting backhands until last week. I play with a brace. I decreased from playing tennis 4 times a week to 1 and now 2. I have done forearm exercises every day. Finally, 10 days ago I changed racquets (from a stiff Juice 100s to a Blade 98s). It seems to go much better, specially after the change of racquet. Unfortunately I need poly at least in the mains as I break strings every two hours otherwise.

Now thinking about moving to 3 times a week and resume backhands (I hit onehander). Still icing after each session.

Am I cured? Hell no. Still bothering, and rigid every morning after playing. But it seems to be going away. Plus, I have kept playing.

I will keep reporting if I ever get rid of it at 100%. Again, I didnt want to believe it (I used to say, how come a vibration will break a tendon?) but convinced myself after demoing plushy frames: the change of stick is crucial. My forehand has improved a lot !

 

[LeeD]

Sustained practice usually helps our games.
Being smart and somewhat sensitive is often better than blindly listening to one doctor's advice.
Taking the next step to an even softer flexing racket might be the next move.
Good you're listening to your body's needs and call. With smart management and prudence, TE should gradually disappear.

 

[Alien]

Taking the next step to an even softer flexing racket might be the next move.
.

Actually thought about Prince but I also need the power.

 

[LeeD]

I"m in the same boat, the need for power, and the need for soft flexing racket's so I can practice without injury.
I've pretty much settled on practice with 60-63 flex rackets, and then playing my sets with 68-70 flex rackets. That's 4 different rackets.
Fortunatly, all are weighted to 11 oz and 320 SW's, grips 1/2 to 5/8ths, so no adjustment period is needed.
I actually believe an APD clone racket can serve close to 7mph faster than a 60 flex racket.
Of course, quite a few people on here think I"m off my rocking chair.

 

[movdqa]

Mr. Berdych can hit a mighty fast serve (or a slower one with very nice placement) with a 59 flex frame. A hefty swingweight looks like the key to he really flowing serve.

So many people call it easy power.

 

[Alien]

Mr. Berdych can hit a mighty fast serve (or a slower one with very nice placement) with a 59 flex frame. A hefty swingweight looks like the key to he really flowing serve.

So many people call it easy power.

I only weight 140lbs, he doesnt.