External support may be helpful too there are ways of strapping some injuries that support the natural movement while reducing the effects of any instability of the joint. Physios are often good at this and it can help with pain control
I sympathise. You may find that massaging the area with Devil's Claw ointment might help (Holland & Barrett sell it). It takes a couple of days before you feel the benefits, but it does work. It's slower to take effect than Voltarol and the like, but unlike them it's OK to use it in conjunction with NSAIDs like ibuprofen pills. Good luck.
Thanks all for your input. - mosaic, this is one my wife actually used with some benefit,however-I find it completely puzzling! What's the difference with using plain ice??