Well this is way OT but we seem to have people on this board that know about everything so I thought I would throw it out there.
I have had intermittent elbow pain for years, probably 20 or more. It flares up especially badly after I do any sort of physical work for an extended period of time. I split wood the other day, with a hydraulic splitter so it wasn't that hard, for about 6 hours and my arm was basically unusable for several days after.
I finally decided to go see an orthopedic Dr and he said since the pain had been going on so long that he wanted an MRI. The MRI showed a 70% tear of the common extensor tendon in my elbow. He said that usually they would recommend starting with PT but with that much tearing it would be a waste of time so he said surgery would be the best course of action.
I texted a PT I know and asked him and he said that he would do PT and PRP injections first.
I really don't know which way to go because I assume the surgeon probably tends to leans toward surgery by nature and the PT guy towards PT. So I considered just doing PT for a while and if it didn't work then have surgery. The downside to that is that I don't want to waste the time and money if it isn't going to work and if I do have the surgery this year it will be cheaper because all my deductibles are met although that would be secondary consideration.
Anyone have any experience or expertise in this are and want to chime in? It would be greatly appreciated
I have had intermittent elbow pain for years, probably 20 or more. It flares up especially badly after I do any sort of physical work for an extended period of time. I split wood the other day, with a hydraulic splitter so it wasn't that hard, for about 6 hours and my arm was basically unusable for several days after.
I finally decided to go see an orthopedic Dr and he said since the pain had been going on so long that he wanted an MRI. The MRI showed a 70% tear of the common extensor tendon in my elbow. He said that usually they would recommend starting with PT but with that much tearing it would be a waste of time so he said surgery would be the best course of action.
I texted a PT I know and asked him and he said that he would do PT and PRP injections first.
I really don't know which way to go because I assume the surgeon probably tends to leans toward surgery by nature and the PT guy towards PT. So I considered just doing PT for a while and if it didn't work then have surgery. The downside to that is that I don't want to waste the time and money if it isn't going to work and if I do have the surgery this year it will be cheaper because all my deductibles are met although that would be secondary consideration.
Anyone have any experience or expertise in this are and want to chime in? It would be greatly appreciated
