After a long rest
I don't even play golf!
by , December 22nd, 2016 at 09:51 AM (4313 Views)
I had been feeling increasing pain in my elbows since the beginning of 2016. Initially it was sore after practice but would go away and later my right elbow developed ongoing pain to the point that it would throb constantly. After spring nationals I finally decided to go and see a physical therapist who gave me exercises I incorporated into my dry lands to strengthen the affected muscles. It's hear I heard the term golfers elbow. My left elbow reacted really well to treatment and gradually the pain went away. Unfortunately the right elbow did not react the same and actually continued to get more painful. After several more months of trying to rehab the right elbow I moved to an orthopedic surgeon. We did an MRI which initially did not highlight a tear and we tried a cortisone injection and no use of the arm while swimming. Still the pain grew and now I was struggling sleeping. I would go to sleep but was woken by a radiating pain in my elbow. Next the orthopedic surgeon asked for a contrast MRI which highlighted 3 tears; 2 in the medial epicondyle and 1 in the bicep tendon. By this point I had swelling in my forearm and numbness in the arm and hand. We tried a PRP injection and finally a stem cell injection. Both seemed to help with the swelling but again the pain continued to radiate from the funny bone. The final straw was a local meet where I had pain during my race.
Last Tuesday 13th December I had surgery to cut and reattach the medial epicondyle tendons and the bicep tendon. The doctor also elected to move the ulnar nerve and clean up the affected area. Nothing against doctors or hospitals but I am a nervous patient and I don't like being in hospital.
The surgery took about 90 minutes and the pre op process was very smooth. When i came around the first thing I noticed was the radiating pain from the injury had gone. I had spoken to the surgeon about my desire to not use narcotic pain meds like condene due to my dislike of the affect and it causing me nausea. The point of the surgery was obviously sore but the pain was definitely different. I used over the counter pain meds for a few days and was then at the point of not needing any.
I am now a week out from surgery and doing great. I have a hard splint and it's a pain in the butt, but have my post op and first physical therapy appointment next week so hope to be able to start moving the arm soon. The no exercise for 2 weeks has been and will likely continue to drive me nuts but I am hanging in there. It's my hope I can start kicking as soon as the stitches heal. Rehab is 3-4 months so it's going to be a long road to recover. I am setting Budapest and World Masters Championship as my light at the of this tunnel. I will do my best to follow doctors orders during my recovery and suspect like all journeys there will be ups and downs. I just hope mine is now too hilly. Feeling good though!!!
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