Joe A Shaw PA-C - 11/20/2011

Question
Hello Joe,
I have had a sore elbow for a few months now and can't understand why the pain won't ease.  It is on my right elbow and seems to be localized on the outside of the ball.  It makes it hard to stretch out my arm (like when I reach for something).  It also hurts when I hold my arm out straight and bend my wrist downward when my hand is in a fist.   
It started when I was fishing every day and I just figured that I was overzealous in casting and hurt it that way.  I thought that now that fishing season is over that my pain would ease or go away.  I also sometimes type on my computer without my arm being supported (so my arm has to support its own weight) and wondered if that could cause the pain.  It hurts me sometimes when I sleep at night also.  

Would Pain Meds help (when it flares up and hurts alot) or heat, etc?  Do you think this is something that will eventually go away on its own or do you think I will need to have it looked at if it doesn't stop hurting.  I don't want a doctor to just tell me to take pain pills when it starts acting up. (I know that anyway and don't want to have to pay a doc to tell me that).  
I am 37, am not in the best shape physically, and am a Dog Groomer so I am lifting dogs onto my Grooming table and use my hands to pull their coat when combing/brushing them out.  
What does this sound like to you and what is the best course of action short of visiting my own Dr.
I do understand that this is only your opinion and that you can't give as accurate suggestion without my being seen first.

Thank You,
Kim

Answer
Kim,
Sounds like lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow..pain is made worse with extension and bending wrist up or down,can be caused bt all the things you listed. It can hang around for months to years off and on,..really no cure b/c it is caused by over use etc..a form of tendonitis..use ice 3 x day,take OTC NSAIDs, biofreeze is good for OTC. You can get a tennis elbow strap.(google tennis elbow exercises or stretches) If not better should see ortho for Rx meds,cortisone inj,PT,and compound RX creams..surgery is needed in only 1-3% of cases.