tennis elbow problem

[miarcher32]

I just had surgery 8-14-07 to repair my torn tendon on my dray arm (right). I shoot a Hoyt 60-70#. I just ordered 40-50# limbs. Is it possible to be ready to bow hunt in October ? Has anyone ever had surgery and what was the outcome? The lower poundage limbs might still be too heavy, but I want to give it a try.

[Michihunter]

Just don't push yourself into another injury. At the first sign of pain, hang the bow up and rest it. You have til january so don't try to do too much right off the bat.;)

[yooperkenny]

Hopefully you're doing physical therapy - make it your new religion and you won't be sorry. As far as timelines, the PT and your doc should be able to give you advice on that since (hopefully) they have experience in that realm.

I was having tennis elbow (tendonitis) symptoms probably from hauling buckets of bear bait over long distances, and became concerned on how it was going to affect my archery. My doc sent me to PT for my elbow before it got to the point where it needed surgery. I still use the strengthening, stretching, and friction massage techniques they taught me and it's helped prevent any more problems. Good Luck!

[huntingmaniac45]

Yes, I had surgery, on the medial tendon, which is golfers elbow(inside of elbow), sounds like you had it on the lateral, or outside of elbow, I was out of commision with mine for over a year, although I had some serious damage to repair, I couldnt pull a rubber band back without a ton of pain. At PT tell them you are a bow hunting and want to hunt, maybe they can come up with some exercises for you. Tell them to give you some different weight elastic bands, hold the end in your left hand and draw it back like a bow, start out light and work your way up. This of course is all dependent on what your surgeon says, and if your ready. 3 days post op is way to early to even start to think about this in my opinion, maybe in a month. Just dont push it whatever you do, you will cause more damage, and be back in for more surgery. Good luck!

[miarcher32]

Hey thanks for all the advice. I definitely don't want to puch it too much. I do know that if I can't bow hunt this year, it is only one season. Thanks again.

[Bowslayer]

I have had tennis elbow for a couple of months now, and boy what a pain in the butt. It makes it difficult to do just about anything, especially shooting my bow. I have dropped the #'s down to about 52 and I only take about 5 shots a day. If my arm is feeling good, I may take ten, but Ispace them about 10 hours apart. I was hoping the problem would just slowly go away, but it isn't. I've been using ice and massage and a little Motrin to help deal with it, but it is going no where. Is there any exercises that I could do to help out with it. I have not gone to a doctor about it but I may be soon.
Miarcher, how bed was it before you ahd to have surgery? That's one thing I do not want to have to do.

[miarcher32]

Well to start off, straighten your sore arm. With your other hand, grasp your fingers on the sore arm and pull downward to stretch forearm muscles. Your wrist and hand (sore arm) should be relaxed with fingers pointing to the ground. Anytime you do physical activity, ice your forearm and remember to stretch before and after. I have dealt with this pain for almost 2 years. I have learned that the sooner you treat the problem the easier it is to heal. In my case, I waited almost 2 years and surgery was the outcome. Any more questions and I will happily try to answer. I have tried countless healing techniques and rehab from my ortho.

[miarcher32]

Another thing. The pain was so bad that I couldn't lift a 5 lb dumbell. Anytime I tried to lift an object the pain was there. I have two small children and it was very hard to have fun with them and be a daddy. If it is interfering with your normal daily tasks, you need to see a doctor.

[huntingmaniac45]

Bowslayer, go see a doctor! The only thing that will make it better is total rest, and I mean total. It takes very little to iritate it and takes forever to get better. If its not torn or detached, like mine was, you may try a cortisone shot, they hurt like hell, but it may do the trick, they might put you on prednisone also, you will need more of a anti-inflamitory, then motrine. Good luck.

[soggybtmboys]

Not sure if this is an option, what about getting a permit for the year and using a cross bow for this year? Not sure what hoops you would have to jump thru to get a permit, but if ya do just make sure you have a buddy to pull the deer out of the woods for ya.

[miarcher32]

Hey, thanks. I will check into that. I go see my ortho monday then Tuesday I start rehab.

[Airoh]

I did rehab for tennis elbow.
They were able to help me alot. I'd do what they recommend you to do.
They had gauges to measure my progress which happens pretty fast if you follow their program.
Good Luck

[Bowslayer]

Thanks for the info guys. I will be calling a doc tomorrow. The pain can definitely be excruciating. A lot of times when I wake up in the morning, I'll try to grab a pillow to move it, and I can't even pick it up. It really sucks! It's almost impossibe to stop using my arm due to my work. I turn a lot of gate valves and other types of valves a lot. I've been trying more to use my off arm a bit more. The pain seems a lot worse when I wake up and eases up the more I use it. Hopefully a doc will be able to help me out.