Is it possible to develop tennis elbow in both elbows

Sued0nim
Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
At the same time?

Or is that proof it's not that

Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Why wouldn't it be?
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Cos I don't want it to be *sighs*

    But google-mojo seems to diagnose the specific pain, location and occurrence as tennis elbow and RICE for months doesn't suit my plans
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    It's very possible. If it's weight lifting related it could be tendinitis, which would definitely happen in both elbows.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited July 2015
    usmcmp wrote: »
    It's very possible. If it's weight lifting related it could be tendinitis, which would definitely happen in both elbows.

    And that googles much better in terms of treatment length..thanks :)
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    usmcmp wrote: »
    It's very possible. If it's weight lifting related it could be tendinitis, which would definitely happen in both elbows.

    And that googles much better in terms of treatment ..thanks :)

    I had that problem during my build up to a powerlifting meet. You need to reduce volume slightly to allow the tendon strength to catch up to the muscle strength. Lower the weight and use higher reps for a while. If you feel the absolute need to do something heavy from time to time use elbow sleeves for the top reps.

    I had to sleep with elbow sleeves and a heating pad. Motrin helped slightly.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Looking into elbow sleeves now...cheers usmcmp
  • lindathom209
    lindathom209 Posts: 19 Member
    A week after I started a new exercise class I was sure I had tennis elbow. I freaked out after looking it up on Google thinking it wasn't going to go away for months (I had just paid $100 to sign up for that class and having tennis elbow would prevent me from doing about 80% of the exercises). But I took ibuprofen and got one of those arm bands for tennis elbow at walmart, it went away in 2 days.
  • spartan_d
    spartan_d Posts: 727 Member
    Just FYI... if you're taking ibuprofen, you could be masking the pain. Remember that it's an analgesic.

    I think it's best to avoid NSAIDs altogether unless the pain is darned near unbearable. They tend to mask pain, and could give the illusion of healing. They also interfere with collagen formation and can thus delay healing.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Thanks I'm not much of one for taking meds unless really need it so no NSAIDs yet

    I've just ordered some elbow supports, should be here tomorrow, hopefully the extra support will help
  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    edited July 2015
    I had an elbow issue last year, thank you upright rows (which I no longer do). It took months for my left elbow to heal and being a klutz walking into doorways (talent) didn't help much either. I bought a McDavid elbow sleeve from Sports Authority, wore that everywhere for awhile and while training and while training I avoided any direct exercises that would piss it off and make it bitchy. I stayed clear of dumbbell rows, pull-ups, anything that might honk it off, but was I still able to train the major lifts with the exception of OHP -- except you have it in both, extra sucky.

    Now if the tendentious in my shoulder would FOAD, I'd be happy camper.
  • lindathom209
    lindathom209 Posts: 19 Member
    spartan_d wrote: »
    Just FYI... if you're taking ibuprofen, you could be masking the pain. Remember that it's an analgesic.

    I think it's best to avoid NSAIDs altogether unless the pain is darned near unbearable. They tend to mask pain, and could give the illusion of healing. They also interfere with collagen formation and can thus delay healing.

    I only took it 3 times in two days. I am a cna and it's very hard to do my job when I can barely move my right arm. It was over a week ago and the pain hasn't come back. Thanks for the info though :)

    My post wasn't really to tell op what to do for the pain. Just to say it may not be as serious as tennis elbow.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    I had an elbow issue last year, thank you upright rows (which I no longer do). It took months for my left elbow to heal and being a klutz walking into doorways (talent) didn't help much either. I bought a McDavid elbow sleeve from Sports Authority, wore that everywhere for awhile and while training and while training I avoided any direct exercises that would piss it off and make it bitchy. I stayed clear of dumbbell rows, pull-ups, anything that might honk it off, but was I still able to train the major lifts with the exception of OHP -- except you have it in both, extra sucky.

    Now if the tendentious in my shoulder would FOAD, I'd be happy camper.

    FOAD is exactly the feeling :)


    lindathom209 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    Just FYI... if you're taking ibuprofen, you could be masking the pain. Remember that it's an analgesic.

    I think it's best to avoid NSAIDs altogether unless the pain is darned near unbearable. They tend to mask pain, and could give the illusion of healing. They also interfere with collagen formation and can thus delay healing.

    I only took it 3 times in two days. I am a cna and it's very hard to do my job when I can barely move my right arm. It was over a week ago and the pain hasn't come back. Thanks for the info though :)

    My post wasn't really to tell op what to do for the pain. Just to say it may not be as serious as tennis elbow.

    It was good advice, thanks
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I have golfer's elbow in both elbows so I feel your pain (literally). Elbow sleeves are a great suggestion that have already been mentioned. Compression cuffs have been fantastic as well. Exercise modification/elimination was critical to my (mostly) recovery too. I switched to a lot of neutral-grip movements which helped a lot. It's been probably 8-9 months and I'm 90% better now.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited July 2015
    Desperate for them to arrive now, being unable to lift and pour a boiled kettle for morning coffee without pain is a huge danger sign for everyone I live with :blush:

    Could you explain neutral grip movements please?
  • cheshirecatastrophe
    cheshirecatastrophe Posts: 1,395 Member
    edited July 2015
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    Desperate for them to arrive now, being unable to lift and pour a boiled kettle for morning coffee without pain is a huge danger sign for everyone I live with :blush:

    Could you explain neutral grip movements please?

    1. Use dumbbells (or, I think, a cable machine with the right attachments) instead of a barbell to allow a more natural range of motion for your shoulders and elbows (the bar kind of 'traps' them in one ROM).

    2. Hold the dumbbells so your palms are facing each other. Like so.

    I'm familiar with this as a shoulder rehab/prehab technique. Never thought about its benefits for the elbow before, but it makes sense.
  • VickiLogan11
    VickiLogan11 Posts: 99 Member
    I did get carpel tunnel in both my wrists at the same time if that helps. Hope your soon on the mend.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    I had overlapping tennis elbow. I developed it in my right elbow about the time I got over it in my left one. I imagine that it was due to overcompensating. I'm just about recovered now, but it was so much more difficult dealing with it in my dominant arm the second time around.
  • MindyBruno
    MindyBruno Posts: 535 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    nakedraygun wrote: »
    I had an elbow issue last year, thank you upright rows (which I no longer do). It took months for my left elbow to heal and being a klutz walking into doorways (talent) didn't help much either. I bought a McDavid elbow sleeve from Sports Authority, wore that everywhere for awhile and while training and while training I avoided any direct exercises that would piss it off and make it bitchy. I stayed clear of dumbbell rows, pull-ups, anything that might honk it off, but was I still able to train the major lifts with the exception of OHP -- except you have it in both, extra sucky.

    Now if the tendentious in my shoulder would FOAD, I'd be happy camper.

    FOAD is exactly the feeling :)


    lindathom209 wrote: »
    spartan_d wrote: »
    Just FYI... if you're taking ibuprofen, you could be masking the pain. Remember that it's an analgesic.

    I think it's best to avoid NSAIDs altogether unless the pain is darned near unbearable. They tend to mask pain, and could give the illusion of healing. They also interfere with collagen formation and can thus delay healing.

    I only took it 3 times in two days. I am a cna and it's very hard to do my job when I can barely move my right arm. It was over a week ago and the pain hasn't come back. Thanks for the info though :)

    My post wasn't really to tell op what to do for the pain. Just to say it may not be as serious as tennis elbow.

    It was good advice, thanks

    I have tendonitis in my shoulder too. Any suggestions on how to modify my weight lifting would be greatly appreciated. I started using nautilus machines about 6 weeks ago and now the pain in my left shoulder just sort of came out of no where. It is an 8 out of 10 some evenings. I stopped any lifting and ice. I have used anti-inflammatories but I am not a fan of them. I was wondering how long I should wait to get back into using the machines. Thanks and good luck with the elbow.
  • Cherimoose
    Cherimoose Posts: 5,208 Member
    MindyBruno wrote: »
    I have tendonitis in my shoulder too. Any suggestions on how to modify my weight lifting would be greatly appreciated. I started using nautilus machines about 6 weeks ago and now the pain in my left shoulder just sort of came out of no where. It is an 8 out of 10 some evenings. I stopped any lifting and ice. I have used anti-inflammatories but I am not a fan of them. I was wondering how long I should wait to get back into using the machines.

    Wait until the exercises cause no pain.

    Shoulders are very complex, so there's no 1-size-fits-all solution. Best thing is to ask a medical professional (sports doctor, physical therapist, etc) who is familiar with your medical history.

    Personally i'd use freeweights, since machines force the body into unnatural paths of motion.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    At the same time?

    Or is that proof it's not that
    Yes. I have both tennis and golfers elbow in both elbows from lots of years of lifting.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,021 Member
    To still keep working out:

    Keep elbows close to the body on row and pressing movements. Use a neutral grip. If you can, don't grip too hard.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
    9285851.png
  • MindyBruno
    MindyBruno Posts: 535 Member
    Cherimoose wrote: »
    MindyBruno wrote: »
    I have tendonitis in my shoulder too. Any suggestions on how to modify my weight lifting would be greatly appreciated. I started using nautilus machines about 6 weeks ago and now the pain in my left shoulder just sort of came out of no where. It is an 8 out of 10 some evenings. I stopped any lifting and ice. I have used anti-inflammatories but I am not a fan of them. I was wondering how long I should wait to get back into using the machines.

    Wait until the exercises cause no pain.

    Shoulders are very complex, so there's no 1-size-fits-all solution. Best thing is to ask a medical professional (sports doctor, physical therapist, etc) who is familiar with your medical history.

    Personally i'd use freeweights, since machines force the body into unnatural paths of motion.


    Thanks, I guess I need to research some freeweight exercises while I am resting my shoulder. I have visited the doctor but wasn't given any specific time frame.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited July 2015
    As someone with multiple chronic tendon injuries, I disagree with most of the above advice. Let it rest, see a physiotherapist, and do only those exercises until the pain resolves. Standard treatment for elbow tendinopathy is physio (including shockwave treatment), bracing, and cortisone shots, which if I were you, I'd do my best to avoid. See tendinosis.org for general information & other approaches to treatment.

    But basically, tendons just take a looong time to heal.
  • thesupremeforce
    thesupremeforce Posts: 1,206 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    As someone with multiple chronic tendon injuries, I disagree with most of the above advice. Let it rest, see a physiotherapist, and do only those exercises until the pain resolves. Standard treatment for elbow tendinopathy is physio (including shockwave treatment), bracing, and cortisone shots, which if I were you, I'd do my best to avoid. See tendinosis.org for general information & other approaches to treatment.

    But basically, tendons just take a looong time to heal.

    "Most" of the advice given stated not to do anything that aggravated the problem, so I fail to see how you're disagreeing with the majority.
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