Tennis elbow pain can be slow to heal
Dear Dr. Roach: I’m a 75-year-old man who is quite active in many sports, including tennis. About six weeks ago, I developed pain in the outside of my elbow, which the internet tells me is lateral epicondylitis. What treatments have the best chance of success?
R.R.
Answer: Lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”) is a common cause of elbow pain, especially in athletes, so the internet might be right. However, there are at least a dozen other conditions that can mimic lateral epicondylitis, so I recommend a visit to your friendly physician to be sure.
If your doctor agrees with your diagnosis, the treatment regimen has several parts. The first is to stop the activity causing the problem in the first place. Often, improper body mechanics (or in tennis, an unsuitable racquet) cause the inflammation, and changing your movement will help prevent the problem. In any event, you’ll need to stop or slow down for some weeks. If you do keep up the activity, icing afterward will help.
Second, get a counterforce brace, which is pretty effective. Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen are helpful. Finally, physical therapy for mobility and strengthening complete the initial treatment, and this regimen is effective for most people. If not, it’s time to reconsider the diagnosis.
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 62-year-old female. I have been on Enbrel injections weekly for 12 years due to rheumatoid arthritis. I received my first COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 23, 2020, and second vaccine on Jan. 13, 2021. On Jan. 24, despite wearing a mask, I tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting my parents, who had the infection.
Yesterday, I took an antibody test that is 91% accurate. I was negative for all antibodies. I will be taking a booster shot soon.
Do you have any additional advice?
L.S.C.
Answer: People who are taking medications that suppress the immune system do not have reliable protection from getting COVID-19. The best advice I have is to get your third vaccine (and maybe a fourth in six months), but make as sure as you can that all your close contacts are vaccinated.