Aches and Pains

[jonunders]

I have recently developed Tennis Elbow possibly as a result of bass playing.
Has anyone else suffered with this and what did you do about it?

Jonathan

[Linus27]

To be honest, I have no idea what tennis elbow is. What are the symptoms? The reason i ask is very very occasionally i get an sharp pain in my elbow. Does not bother me but just wondered if its tennis elbow.

[jonunders]

[size=1]
Tennis elbow is a condition that results in pain around the outside of the elbow.[/size][size=1]
It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint.[/size][size=1]
As its name suggests, tennis elbow is sometimes caused by playing tennis. However, it is usually caused by a number of other physical activities. See [url="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tennis-elbow/Pages/Causes.aspx"]Tennis elbow - causes[/url] for more information.[/size][size=1]
The medical name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is because the pain usually occurs on the bony lump on the outside of the elbow, known as the lateral epicondyle.[/size][size=1]
Pain can also occur on the inner side of the elbow, which is known as golfer's elbow.[/size]
[b] The elbow joint[/b]
[size=1]
The elbow joint is surrounded by muscles that move the elbow, wrist and fingers. The tendons in your elbow join the bones and muscles together and control the muscles of your forearm around the lateral epicondyle.[/size][size=1]
When a person gets tennis elbow, one or more of the tendons in their elbow becomes painful. The pain occurs at the point where the tendons of the forearm muscle attach to the bone. Twisting movements, such as turning a door handle or opening the lid of a jar, are particularly painful.[/size][size=1]
In around three quarters of cases of tennis elbow, the dominant hand (the one that is used the most) is affected.[/size]
[b] How common is tennis elbow?[/b]
[size=1]
Tennis elbow is fairly uncommon. Approximately five in every 1,000 adults in the UK are affected by the condition each year.[/size][size=1]
Tennis elbow usually occurs in adults. Men and woman are affected equally. The condition tends to affect people who are around 40 years old.[/size]
[b] Outlook[/b]
[size=1]
Tennis elbow is a self-limiting condition. This means that in most cases the symptoms eventually improve and clear up without treatment.[/size][size=1]
Anti-inflammatory painkillers can often reduce mild pain that is caused by tennis elbow. However, if your pain is severe or prolonged, a corticosteroid injection may be recommended.[/size][size=1]
Occasionally, surgery may be used to treat very severe and persistent cases of tennis elbow.[/size][size=1]
Most cases of tennis elbow last between six months and two years. However, in around 9 out of 10 cases, a full recovery is made within one year.[/size]

[andydye]

yes I had it (even though I hate tennis), I basically had to rest it completely for about 3 months and take regular ibuprofen to reduce swelling, it gradually went away and having gradually reintroduced activities (like playing bass - oddly drumming never caused it to even twinge!) I am now back at full speed with everything and no longer have the pain (except infreuqnelty if I've been stupid).

[steve-bbb]

which arm? the fingering arm or the plinky arm?

possibly a positional/posture thing with your arm

tennis elbow usually is in the elbow and the ligaments and tendons around it and often results from some sort of misuse - i used to get it badly from playing squash until i improved my racket swing

[xilddx]

Tennis elbow is from impact usually, and results in tiny tears in the tendons around the elbow and inflammation and resultant pain around the outside of the elbow. You won't be able to hold a kettle of water, or extend the fingers outwards against resistance. Rest is the treatment.

How do you know you have tennis elbow?

[TheGreek]

I get it when I play too much Golf...rest is the best answer though Tiger Balm did seem to give some relief..

[velvetkevorkian]

I've had tendinitis in my hands and arms in the past (and still have to manage it)- the biggest things that made a difference for me were 1: making sure my technique was OK (I was holding my fretting thumb in a stupid position) and keeping my arms and shoulders relaxed- for me doing nothing but playing bass and using the computer was the killer for this, and my shoulders and arms were very tight, which manifested itself as pain lower in the arm and hand on both sides.

Recommend seeing a physiotherapist and possibly getting some kind of deep muscle massage.

[xilddx]

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' timestamp='1323711462' post='1466121']
I've had tendinitis in my hands and arms in the past (and still have to manage it)- the biggest things that made a difference for me were 1: making sure my technique was OK (I was holding my fretting thumb in a stupid position) and keeping my arms and shoulders relaxed- for me doing nothing but playing bass and using the computer was the killer for this, and my shoulders and arms were very tight, which manifested itself as pain lower in the arm and hand on both sides.

Recommend seeing a physiotherapist and possibly getting some kind of deep muscle massage.
[/quote]

Friction in the tendon sheaths = inflammation = more friction = more inflammation, etc.

Deep muscle massage won't help tendons mate. Always get a correct diagnosis before any treatment.

[velvetkevorkian]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323713164' post='1466149']
Friction in the tendon sheaths = inflammation = more friction = more inflammation, etc.

Deep muscle massage won't help tendons mate. [/quote]
Hmm, it's possible I'm lumping two different conditions with similar symptoms together. Just for clarity, I'm not suggesting massaging the painful areas directly, but the shoulders/back which had a big impact on me and my hand pain. YMMV.
[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323713164' post='1466149']
Always get a correct diagnosis before any treatment.
[/quote]
Yep- go see a doctor.

[Slipperydick]

I had a bout a couple of years ago, but as it happened I left the band I was with, the enforced rest cured it. but see your GP and make sure thats what it is. Some GPs will offer you an injection that cures it, but I bottled out as I'd heard its painful.

[BigAlonBass]

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1323714959' post='1466197']
Some GPs will offer you an injection that cures it, but I bottled out as I'd heard its painful.
[/quote]

I absolutely HATE INJECTIONS with a passion, but the pain I was getting was making it difficult to play as often as I was being asked, so when my GP offered, I accepted. I have to say that I looked away when he administered it, and all I felt was a pretty bad "Chinese Burn" type of pain spreading through the joint. After resting it for three days (as ordered) I've never looked back. 11 years later, and it still doesn't bother me.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1323714959' post='1466197']
I had a bout a couple of years ago, but as it happened I left the band I was with, the enforced rest cured it. but see your GP and make sure thats what it is. Some GPs will offer you an injection that cures it, but I bottled out as I'd heard its painful.
[/quote]
They are normally corticosteriod injections to reduce inflammation.

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1323709397' post='1466100']
Tennis elbow is from impact usually, and results in tiny tears in the tendons around the elbow and inflammation and resultant pain around the outside of the elbow. You won't be able to hold a kettle of water, or extend the fingers outwards against resistance. Rest is the treatment.

How do you know you have tennis elbow?
[/quote]

My GP told me it was from rotational motion rather than impact - called tennis elbow because it is often caused by the arm motion associated with topspin. I got mine from commercial hedge-trimming

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1323710144' post='1466110']
I get it when I play too much Golf...rest is the best answer though Tiger Balm did seem to give some relief..
[/quote]

Golfer's elbow - slightly different - tennis elbow pain on the outside the joint, golfer's elbow on the inside of the joint.

Can I have my pedant's badge now please?

[visog]

Not the elbow but I had a painful fretting pinky for some time. Still get twinges but as an earlier poster said, good posture and technique help a lot.

I'd also add warming up slowly, keeping hydrated and perhaps some stretching if your muscles feel tight.

This whole area is so difficult to identify. I saw two or three medical professionals who gave differing diagnoses.

(Also when it's your pinky, the tend not to be very interested as it's hardly life threatening.)

[WalMan]

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1323714959' post='1466197']
I had a bout a couple of years ago, but as it happened I left the band I was with, the enforced rest cured it. but see your GP and make sure thats what it is. Some GPs will offer you an injection that cures it, but I bottled out as I'd heard its painful.
[/quote]I have been getting grief in my right elbow - the one I cracked slipping on a wet floor at work cue [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6s994jOFuY&feature=related"]Butterfield DIRECT[/url] methinks. Last time I saw the arthritis specialist he did a cortisone injection which has helped for about 6-9 months and did not hurt at all

[bobbass4k]

I have ongoing back/shoulder troubles which impede bass playing a fair bit, I can't play standing up for too long (probably my fault for having an 11lb spector) and the shoulder causes bloodflow and nerve problems in my picking arm, I have to keep my upper arm fairly still otherwise my hand can get numb, and it occasionaly gets numb on it's own anyway.

[Slipperydick]

both my pinkies and the finger next to em are usually a bit most of the time these days, so I can only play finger style with the other two. I've got used to it and my style has alyered to suit.

Anybody got any ideas what might be causing it ?

[gjones]

I had tennis elbow for a while. It's a tear in the tendon of your forearm where it attaches to your elbow and can be very painful when your arm is in certain positions. Luckily it didn't affect my bass playing. All that you can do is to rest your arm and wait for the tendon to heal (which it did after about 3 months). Websites usually mention the fact that It usually occurs after [b]'unaccustomed physical exercise by the over thirtyfives' [/b]which is spot on as I'd just bought myself some weights in a futile effort to get fit.

Edited December 13, 2011 by gjones

[jynxterstu]

Hi Gents
below are the differences, treatment wise rest is best with anti inflamatory tablets i am told.
I think one of the things we dont do is warm up well enough. Not just being warm put making sure our
inner smaller muscles are warm enough to work as fast as we need them to to play the bass especially finger style plucking.
Stretching exercises are the best way to warm up the muscles & tendons, if i get time later i will post some examples.
I would go and see the Dr though to get a true diagnosis.
Just one more thing some symptoms in the hands / arms are caused by problems/restrictions with the shoulder or neck nerves.
Good luck
Jynxter




[center][b]Tennis Elbow[/b]
(lateral Epicondylitis)
[b]Outside of Elbow[/b]
[b]Cause & Symptoms[/b] [/center]
[center]The onset of pain, on the outside (lateral) of the elbow, is usually gradual with tenderness felt on or below the joint's bony prominence. Movements such as gripping, lifting and carrying tend to be trouble[/center]




[center][b]Golfer’s Elbow[/b]
(medial Epicondylitis)
[b]Inside of Elbow[/b]
[b]Cause & Symptoms[/b] [/center]
[center]The causes of golfer's elbow are similar to tennis elbow but pain and tenderness are felt on the inside (medial) of the elbow, on or around the joint's bony prominence. [/center]


[center][b]Bursitis [/b]
[b]Back of Elbow[/b]
[b]Cause & Symptoms[/b] [/center]
[center]Often due to excessive leaning on the joint or a direct blow or fall onto the tip of the elbow.
A lump can often be seen and the elbow is painful at the back of the joint. [/center]

[xgsjx]

While out one morning in the park, a jogger found a brand new tennis
ball, and seeing no one around it might belong to, he slipped it into
the pocket of his shorts.
Later, on his way home, he stopped at the pedestrian crossing,
waiting for the lights to change.
A blonde girl standing next to him eyed the large bulge in his shorts.
"What's that?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with lust.
"Tennis ball," came the breathless reply.
"Oh," said the blonde sympathetically, "that must be painful.... I
had tennis elbow once."