Sprained elbow
 

Has anyone had experience with a sprained elbow? It's been 7 weeks since
I injured it with the endo I took but it doesn't seem any better. It's ok at rest, but I can't do any lifting, twisting or put weight on it. I saw an ortho and have had 8 sessions of pt with included massage, electrical stimulation and ultra sound but I'm not seeing an improvement. I ice 3 or 4 times a day and am doing home therapy 2x per day to keep my strength. If I don't ice every day I wake up at night in pain.

My therapist is even questioning why its taking so long. I know that ligaments take a long time to heal but shouldn't I be seeing improvement by now?

Instead of going back to the ortho I made an appt. with a hand specialist. But I can't see him until the 18th.

Has anyone else had this? Does it usually take this long? It is similiar to tennis elbow but the pain is on the inside of my elbow. I think it is the ulnar collateral ligament but there has not been a positive diagnosis.

I guess I'm looking for moral support because I'm feeling pretty discouraged. I haven't been able to ride since this accident!

Kathi

I’m no expert, but 7 weeks does seem to be a long time to have little or no improvement. I’m currently recovering from a sprained ankle that occurred 3 weeks ago. Recovery has been slow, but steady. I started riding my trainer 4 days ago and that seams to be speeding things along. I hope to be riding again in another two weeks.

When you ice it, how long do you ice it for? My doctor told me no more than 15-20 minutes at a time 3-4 times a day. Any more would hurt more than it would help.

Anyway, good luck with your recovery, I’m sure it will start to come around soon.

15-20 minutes is the longest I ice. I use the same brand ice packs that the therapists use and they don't get super cold.

My therapist said most ortho's don't deal much with elbow and wrist problems, they're too complicated. Off the record, he recommended I see the hand specialist. Since I has seen this Dr. before it was no problem getting into see him, except I have to wait and wonder for 2 more weeks.

I am also taking Vioxx which seems to help me more than ibuprofan.

When I ride the trainer I use aerobars. I'm trying to build up the time I can keep my hands on the handlebars but 10 min is the max so far.

I expected to be a lot further along than this by now, meaning, back on my bike.

Kathi