Tennis Elbow from playing bass - How long did it take you to heal?

[maxpayneatlarge]

I'm posting here because I'm curious if anyone else here has ever gotten tennis elbow from playing bass? I've gotten it in my fretting arm, which happens to also be my dominant arm (I play left handed, although I do everything else right handed).

If you ever got it, how long did it take to get over (possibly with treatment and physical therapy). Also, anyone ever have surgery for it?

Thanks,
Chris

[MostlyBass]

I had surgery for it in my right arm. Was a combination of weight lifting and LOTS of bowing. Surgery was a complete success and I'm back to 100% and pain free.

[MostlyBass]

Oh - and I had actually taken up tennis that summer!

[the yeti]

i had a looooooong ordeal w/it. really didn't want to have a surgery. wound up fixing it with something called a "needle tenotomy". they said if that didn't surgery was the only option.

my objection to surgery for joint repair is based on the surgeon telling me "no, it will not be the same".

[maxpayneatlarge]

Yeah, I've had it for 5 months, but only really been treating for the last 6 weeks or so. I'm just trying to get an idea of how long it would last, or when should I consider surgery. It seems to be improving some, and everything I've read says 6-12 months to heal.

Glad to see at least surgery helped yours.

Chris

[maxpayneatlarge]

How long did either of you wait before going beyond cortisone shot/Physical therapy? Like I said, I got a cort shot about 6 weeks ago (which didn't seem to help) and I've been in PT since then. I'd say my pain is probably a 3/10, so I haven't felt like it's time to have surgery yet.

Chris

[pacojas]

some people call them snake oil, but i say try Chondroitin and Glucosamine!!!

i suffered from tennis elbow in both arms for several painful weeks. about a month or less of daily doses of what's commonly called joint supplements, i woke up pain free with full range of motion. this stuff is all good in my book, but don't take my word. there's plenty of up to date info on this! gl.

[MostlyBass]

I did 2 cortisone shots 6 months apart a year before deciding to go for surgery. After the second shot wore off I couldn't lift anything with my arm. Then I consulted an orthopaedic specialist before deciding on surgery. He was very confident that surgery would fix things.

[the yeti]

Over 3 years or so i had 3 or 4 cort shots, a series if prp injections (helped but didn't end), then 2 needle tenotomy sessions. Feel liked I'm healed and so far have resumed work outs.

[ggunn]

I got it in my left elbow (I play right handed), and I realized that when I picked up my (heavy 5 string) bass by the neck with my left hand and lifted it up high enough to slip the strap over my head, I got a jolt of pain in my left elbow that kept recurring the whole time I was playing. I changed the way I lift my bass; I now lift it to waist high with my left hand with my elbow braced against my hip and transfer the weight to my right hand to finish putting it on, and the pain has stopped.

[HolmeBass]

About a year of physical therapy and manipulation with an osteopath, and altering my playing routine by warming up very slowly and icing after playing. I took one hydrocortisone shot, which fixed it for about 3 months and then it came roaring back. I had it my right (plucking hand) elbow.