Elbow Pain

libbyann

I already posted this on a photography board, but I thought you guys might have some ideas too and I'm desperate for any help right now!!

My right elbow is KILLING me. I thought I hurt it lifting weights, but I'm trying to edit a photo gallery and the position it's in to use my mouse is horrible...I'm now thinking that I didn't hurt it in the gym after all - since I've been spending 5-6 hours a day with it in this position editing, that's caused the problem and then the weights at the gym are just aggravating it.

I'm trying to put it in a different position to work, but it's not helping...obviously not working is not an option! I've already stopped doing any exercises at the gym that cause even the slightest bit of pain to try and let it heal.

Any ideas of what else I can do? I've got another 4 solid weeks of craziness with photography and editing - I can't be in pain for the next month!! TIA!

Spanishbeauty

Can you try one of those mouse pads that have a raised pad, like this.

or what about trying to edit using your left hand (and maybe get a left handed mouse). Would that be disastrous?

last thing I can think of is one of these. They're suppose to be for tennis elbow.

 

libbyann

Spanishbeauty:

Can you try one of those mouse pads that have a raised pad, like this.

or what about trying to edit using your left hand (and maybe get a left handed mouse). Would that be disastrous?

last thing I can think of is one of these. They're suppose to be for tennis elbow.

 

haha, yeeeaaaah, editing with my left hand would probably be pretty disastrous! I'm not coordinated with that hand at all! I'll check out the mouse pad and that support thing though...I've had it wrapped with an ace bandage tonight and just having some extra support there (+ the advil I took earlier) has taken the edge off the pain. Thanks!

brideonjuly8

I would try alternating heat and cold (heating pad & ice pack), maybe soaking it in a hot bath, and Advil. 

When I'm working I use a pillow under my arm for support.  That may help.  Hope it gets better soon!

libbyann

brideonjuly8:

When I'm working I use a pillow under my arm for support.  That may help.  Hope it gets better soon!

Oh, that's a great idea! Thank you - I'm going to try that right now!

misjenn

Try IB Profin it may be inflamed and do the heat and cold compressions.

OrangeFelt

The pillow trick is good - that should help.. I'd also try moving your computer/mouse setup over a few inches to see if it helps. Either right or left, or raising your chair or monitor up - small adjustments make a big difference!  

batsteph

Can you make an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon to have it checked out?

I recently had to have carpal tunnel surgery, and in the process of doing all the diagnostic tests to "qualify" me for that surgery, I asked one of the testing techs about some pain I'd also been having in my elbow.  He said most often when people have that kind of pain, the things that exacerbate it are resting the elbow on a hard surface and/or frequently holding the elbow at a sharp angle.  And he said that sharp angle thing happens a lot in people's sleep.

If you're doing the hard surface thing, then a cushion of some kind for your elbow should help.  If you do the sleep thing, then he told me you can get a brace for your arm that you wear just at night that keeps you from bending your arm into that position. 

At any rate, it couldn't hurt to get it properly checked out.  It might be injury-related (even something like a bruise that you keep irritating), but it might also be nerve-related.  Only one way to find out for sure. 

Taytee

batsteph:

  He said most often when people have that kind of pain, the things that exacerbate it are resting the elbow on a hard surface and/or frequently holding the elbow at a sharp angle.  And he said that sharp angle thing happens a lot in people's sleep.

I do both =( and my elbows are really starting to feel it in my old age. I sleep on my stomach with my arms bent straight up. I try every night not to but I wake up in that position anyway. I might have to try the sleep brace. I also rest my elbows on our bar top around the nurses station at work. I gotta stop doing that too!

Ergonomics are SO important when working at a computer for long periods of time, especially mouse work. I have the only wrist rest mouse pad at work because the way I use a mouse, if I don't, my wrist first goes numb then is painful for another 12-24 hours.

Definitely take Advil/Ibuprofen as needed to treat the pain but obviously still take strides to make sure you're not creating further permanant damage. Taking a break to do stretches every 30-60 minutes is a huge help too. Just 1 minute is all you need. Your mind will benefit from the break too!

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/index.html

A common thing that used to give me so much pain at my desk job was that I somehow developed a bad habit of holding my elbows outward as I worked with the keyboard and then using my elbow as a pivot when using my mouse. The ergonomics people came and had given me a new chair, dropped my desk a few inches and I was still not comfortable. When the ergo lady watched me work, she told me to keep my arms closer to my sides when typing BUT remembering to move my entire arm outward when using the mouse instead of swinging my arm to the side (and my wrist) to use my mouse (not to use my elbow as the pivot). It took some time but now I do it naturally.