Stacia Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 (edited) I've never had tennis elbow (& I'm not sure that's what I have), but about 6-8 weeks ago, I lifted something heavy & awkward to lift & think I must have stretched or torn ligaments or tendons in/around my elbow. Of course, it's in my dominant arm/hand, so I'm using it constantly & it feels constantly aggravated (pain bending & unbending my arm, pain from making a pinching motion to pick up something, etc...). So, what type of doctor diagnoses/treats this type of problem? And, if you've experienced something similar, what did the doctor do for you? Medicines? Wraps? Does time heal this? Thanks for any info or ideas. Edited December 17, 2016 by Stacia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I'd go to a GP, but I'd not be surprised to be sent on to physio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 See your regular doctor for a physical therapy referral. Look for a hand/arm specialist if you can find one--I used a hand/arm branch for my (second) shoulder PT. Night and day compared to the generalist PT! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I'd go to an orthopedist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Orthopaedic who specializes in hands/arms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Sports medicine clinic. We have one that sees people on a walk-in basis. They have an x-ray on premises, and an assortment of wraps, braces, etc. so that it is a one-stop thing. Ours is excellent with this sort of thing. I think they mainly do orthopedics, but they have several types of docs on staff, and they also work with physical therapists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I have done this before and it did heal eventually. Have you tried ibuprofen? I would do that and ice for several days to decrease the inflammation. A PCP will treat you conservatively with ice and anti-inflammatories, maybe even PT, then refer you to an orthopedic if that has not worked. Just keep in mind orthopedic docs are surgeons so if all of that has failed they may suggest surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schadenfreude Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 My hubby had an injury like that. He displaced his ulnar nerve while playing softball. The sports medicine doctor had to turn his elbow a certain way to get it back in then they treated it with a sling for 2 weeks, ice, and ibuprofen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I see an ortho/sports medicine doc. After mine came back again he's just referred me to a physical therapist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 If you are in the USA, a "Board Certified" Orthopedic M.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 We go to our amazing chiropractor for that. Hope you're better soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Well, my dh decided to self-treat this past week. He's been wearing a brace on his upper forearm, which has relieved the pain at this point. (Link to a google image below. Wasn't sure if we're allowed to post pix like this?) https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.braceshop.com%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fcache%2F2%2Fimage%2F9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95%2Fimages_ossur%2Fbase%2Ftenniselbowwithcold.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.braceshop.com%2Fossur-tennis-elbow-support-w-gel.htm&docid=rdr0cWchjY2yBM&tbnid=v63PYMQiq1AevM%3A&vet=1&w=700&h=700&bih=609&biw=1366&q=arm%20velcro%20strap%20for%20tennis%20elbow&ved=0ahUKEwjphKv1kPrQAhUGRyYKHV_zDtoQMwhvKBAwEA&iact=mrc&uact=8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 For issues in joints I start with the chiropractor. I can get an appointment quicker and he usually resolves the problem in a visit or two. If it's beyond his treatment area I'll get a referal to an orthopedic MD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I hate doctors so I just suffered for several months till it went away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I have had it happen twice (years apart) after doing some repetitive type work that really strained it. The first time I had it checked and they recommended the brace linked by Beth S above. It took a long time to heal but it did the trick. The second time, I pulled out the brace and used it again. It took FOREVER to heal (it is so easy to keep irritating it when it is your dominate arm) but it finally did heal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mousie Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 I had it this past spring from pulling weeds. My boss diagnosed, Dr. Internet confirmed, and I just babied it for about 4 months and it's fine now. Really, all I did was try not to fully extend the arm (I couldn't let it just hang at my side, for ex.), and get DH or DS to carry things for me. The garden, however, never recovered from the weeds..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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