Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Mon Aug 11, 2025 4:33 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 45 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:48 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
So, as many of you know I built a nice 12x20 barn in my yard this summer.
In the process I seem to have messed up my right arm pretty good. It has a lot of pain at the side of the elbow. It will go away but as soon as I start to do anything it heats right back up. Sanding with a block sander is now all but impossible. I suspect I damaged some cartilage swinging the hammer this summer.
Do I need to rest my arm for several months? By that I mean do nothing? Its frustrating to say the least. I have never had a physical limitation other than a sore back or something that fixes it self in a day or two. This has been going on for over a month.

Any ideas?

Thanks

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:02 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2010 11:42 pm
Posts: 1714
First name: John
Last Name: Parchem
City: Seattle
State: Wa
Zip/Postal Code: 98177
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I have had tennis elbow, I have found that rest and a prescription strength dose of ibuprofen or naproxen for a couple of weeks ends the cycle. When the joint is inflamed movement tends to make it more inflamed so the injury is self supporting, the inflammation is causing more inflammation. The NSAID is reducing the inflammation helping break the cycle. On my wrest a doc once gave me a steroid shot to reduce the inflammation but he also told me that he really thought that rest and the ibuprofen would do the trick. I think the shot was to make me feel better about coming in.

_________________
http://www.Harvestmoonguitars.com


Last edited by johnparchem on Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:04 am, edited 1 time in total.


These users thanked the author johnparchem for the post: LanceK (Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:03 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:03 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:20 am
Posts: 2593
Location: Powell River BC Canada
First name: Danny
Last Name: Vincent
If you're lucky it might just be tendonitis. Rest is good. Try an anti inflammatory. I use ibuprofen. Next time you have to build something buy a nail gun. Hammers are are for youngsters. Haha

Heal well.



These users thanked the author DannyV for the post: LanceK (Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:05 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:05 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
I have been hitting the ibuprofen pretty heavy, 800 mg twice a day. I guess I really need to rest the arm along with the ibuprofen.
Thanks John, I sorta felt I knew the answer, just a little reinforcement that I was headed in the right direction. ..

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:09 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
DannyV wrote:
If you're lucky it might just be tendonitis. Rest is good. Try an anti inflammatory. I use ibuprofen. Next time you have to build something buy a nail gun. Hammers are are for youngsters. Haha

Heal well.


Danny, Everything I have ever built I have used a screw gun and the right screws. This kit came with 20 boxes of nails so I went with it. After building JUST THE ROOF TRUSSES I counted up 998 nails hammered. That was the start of the project and the beginning of the pain. I should have stopped right there.
I am happy how it turned out tho.

Attachment:
11863461_1009872402368050_5963910028803799569_n.jpg


Attachment:
11924871_10206047212552140_985444208_o.jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:22 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2015 6:39 pm
Posts: 33
LanceK wrote:
I have been hitting the ibuprofen pretty heavy, 800 mg twice a day. I guess I really need to rest the arm along with the ibuprofen.
Thanks John, I sorta felt I knew the answer, just a little reinforcement that I was headed in the right direction. ..
The recommended dosage for Ibuprofen has been cut way back because of liver damage.


Oral: Mild to moderate pain:
200 to 400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Doses greater than 400 mg have not been proven to provide greater efficacy.

http://www.drugs.com/dosage/ibuprofen.html



These users thanked the author hermit for the post (total 2): SteveCourtright (Mon Aug 24, 2015 1:36 pm) • LanceK (Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:22 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:31 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:49 pm
Posts: 1209
Location: Ukiah, CA
Sorry for your pain, Lance. I have the same one. Learn to sand with your left hand.

_________________
Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:34 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Ken Franklin wrote:
Sorry for your pain, Lance. I have the same one. Learn to sand with your left hand.


Yeah but then it will be like someone else is sanding. :shock:

Did I just say that !

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:40 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:04 am
Posts: 5900
First name: Chris
Last Name: Pile
City: Wichita
State: Kansas
Country: Good old US of A
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional
I have a great idea, Lance! GO TO THE DOCTOR! Huh? Maybe that's a good idea?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:49 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3308
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
As said NSAIDs and rest to keep inflammation down. Ice is probably a good idea too. I would try to avoid taking a lot of ibuprofen for extended periods of time. I have chronic back pain and sometimes have to take NSAIDs daily for days at a time. I'm not quite 4o (a few more weeks :) ) and I am already noticing stomach trouble from taking so much of this the last 20 plus years. I take Naproxen now because I can take it every 12 hours or twice a day. That is a lot fewer pills burning up my stomach. You've gotten some good advice here already but I will add one thing no one has mentioned:

Go to a doctor and get it checked out. Likely rest will be the answer but there may be something else going. Better to get it checked out now than two years from now when you can't work in the shop at all.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.



These users thanked the author Bryan Bear for the post: LanceK (Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:51 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:50 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8555
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Chris Pile wrote:
I have a great idea, Lance! GO TO THE DOCTOR! Huh? Maybe that's a good idea?


I have my annual physical in two weeks. wow7-eyes

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:52 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3308
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Chris Pile wrote:
I have a great idea, Lance! GO TO THE DOCTOR! Huh? Maybe that's a good idea?


Ha, you posted as I was typing. I was going to add that he should ask how to fix a strange buzz on an e string. Then when the Dr. looked at him funny, he should say "Well I asked all my guitar friends what was wrong with my elbow. . ."

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.



These users thanked the author Bryan Bear for the post: LanceK (Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:54 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:04 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:34 am
Posts: 3081
Why would you wait 2 weeks? Go now. Your GP will send you to a specialist and they will be able to determine what is wrong. The GP won't be able to fix this likely.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:06 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2014 6:19 pm
Posts: 169
First name: Tom
Last Name: Armstrong
City: Portsmouth
State: Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 23701
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
1. Amputate the offender
2. Go see a sports medicine doc.


Wait.... I got those out of order.
Tom


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:09 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood
User avatar

Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:12 pm
Posts: 3308
First name: Bryan
Last Name: Bear
City: St. Louis
State: Mo
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
LanceK wrote:
Chris Pile wrote:
I have a great idea, Lance! GO TO THE DOCTOR! Huh? Maybe that's a good idea?


I have my annual physical in two weeks. wow7-eyes


You're better than I am. I talk a good game but in reality I get my annual check up every 5 years or so. Last time I went, they had moved to a different building.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:10 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
Posts: 4820
Lame-sauce. Have you ever seen a sports medicine doctor? Mine can usually figure out what's going on just by squeezing certain points in my joints and tapping into his 20-30 years of experience. He prescribes MRI's, but he usually nails it with the initial examination. My guess is some form of tendinitis, which usually goes away with a few weeks or months of rest, or with a nice cortisone injection (which usually doesn't hurt a bit when laced with lidocaine).

I'm sorry it's flaring up on you though, Lance. Hope it gets well soon. It sounds like classic tendinitis though. I had some in my wrist after getting too aggressive with handstand practice about a year ago.

Edit: I got the MRI for some bursitis in my shoulder three summers ago, but not for my wrist.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 11:14 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:06 pm
Posts: 154
First name: Howard
Last Name: Wilson
State: Virginia
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
If it truly is tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) you could wear an elbow brace, one that is about one inch wide. I usually have patients wear them not at the joint, but 2-3 inches down the forearm away from the elbow. And minimize repetitive motions for weeks/months.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 12:30 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
Posts: 3470
First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
City: Whitby
State: Ontario
Zip/Postal Code: L1N8X2
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Having had chronic tendonitis in my elbow for 30+ years, my advice is to use ice packs as often as possible. Use the soft gel packs - they conform to your arm better, and go see your doctor asap! The one time I was diligent in taking my Dr.'s advice, it took me 10 months to be symptom free. But who listens to Dr."s anyways! Good luck, Lance!

Alex

_________________
"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 1:01 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2009 2:40 pm
Posts: 505
First name: David
Last Name: Malicky
City: San Diego
State: CA
Zip/Postal Code: 92111
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
+1 on getting a correct diagnosis, as soon as possible. One needs to know what the problem is in order to fix it, and to prevent re-injury. An orthopaedic or sport-medicine doc is best, but many GPs are very good at joint diagnoses, too.

I've had good success with ice for many soft-tissue injuries, but the scientific evidence is mixed and controversial. Ice certainly helps with pain relief -- everyone agrees with that. In the first 48 hours after an injury (or substantial reinjury), ice helps decrease swelling (which can be more than the healing process needs and is thus counterproductive). After the initial swelling is down (~3 days), the role of ice is more controversial. Ice also decreases blood flow to the tissue--and that blood carries the healing cells that the tissue needs to repair itself. I.e., at this stage, the inflammation response is not only helpful, but required to heal.

That said, years ago, the main things that helped my rotator cuff tendonitis were ice plus physical therapy, lots of both, over many months. The only way I can make sense of the evidence and experience is this: Ice can help, hurt, or do nothing, depending on the injury and stage of injury.
- If the injury is related to impingement or "lack of space", where the inflammation itself is the main problem or makes the problem worse (bursitis, some tendonitis, acute injuries), ice will likely help.
- If not, ice will help with immediate pain relief, but may slow long-term healing.
- Although biased, each person's personal experience may be the best measure, since the science is unclear and it's our body we need to heal.

Links:
A skeptic (who was the originator of "RICE"): http://drmirkin.com/fitness/why-ice-del ... overy.html
A balanced view: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/ ... tion/3474/
A scientific review, inconclusive: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15496998

_________________
David Malicky


Last edited by David Malicky on Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:19 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
Posts: 3446
Location: Alexandria MN
Go see an Orthopedist. Get a referral from your GP if you don't know a good one. Sounds like tennis elbow. If I was still in practice you could fly to MN and see me and talk guitars too. Be prepared for it to take three months to settle down.

Good luck!

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.



These users thanked the author Terence Kennedy for the post: James Orr (Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:04 am)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:34 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Tue Dec 17, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 3186
First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
You just need a good blood-letting.

Seriously, ask a doc in person. You probably don't buy pants or fresh fruit on the Internet; why would you trust it for medical advice?



These users thanked the author doncaparker for the post (total 2): James Orr (Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:05 am) • Bryan Bear (Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:46 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 2:51 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 12:45 pm
Posts: 644
First name: Lonnie
Last Name: Barber
City: Manchester
State: Tennessee
Zip/Postal Code: 37355
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Lance I had the same thing happen to me years ago. Basically I had overdone it. A little rest will do wonders. If it hurts when you do something don't do that till it stops.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:23 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Aug 25, 2013 9:34 am
Posts: 356
Location: Massachusetts
First name: Rob
Last Name: Lak
State: Massachusetts
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I'd go with a bolt on elbow... welcome to this side of 50. (+ or -)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:32 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:59 pm
Posts: 3624
First name: Dennis
Last Name: Kincheloe
City: Kansas City
State: MO
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Lonnie J Barber wrote:
If it hurts when you do something don't do that till it stops.

That's what I always say as well :)

In the meantime, work on your left hand dexterity.



These users thanked the author DennisK for the post: Lonnie J Barber (Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:35 pm)
Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 24, 2015 3:49 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:07 am
Posts: 802
Location: Cobourg ON
First name: Steve
Last Name: Denvir
City: Baltimore
State: ON
Zip/Postal Code: K0K 1C0
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I can't believe no one has yet suggested you see a physiotherapist. You can probably get in tomorrow. They'll make a diagnosis, probably hit you with some ultrasound, some heat or cold as appropriate, and give you a series of stretches.

Way simpler than a doctor, and if they can't fix it, the doc is always there for a fallback. But honestly? A sports doc will probably just give you the same treatment as a physiotherapist.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 45 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: pullshocks and 43 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com