Getting Seen By A Medical Professional.

[nailit]

Shortly after lockdown I had an accident at work and hurt my elbow. Elbow became sore and muscles down my forearm began to ache when trying to lift anything. Didnt think too much of it at the time but as time went on the soreness and aching continued.
Rang my GP a couple of weeks ago and had a telephone consultation. He diagnosed tennis elbow and I then had another telephone consultation last week with physio. I was given advice and emailed some excercises.

1) Im not convinced its tennis elbow as it started with a knock to the elbow joint, whereas tennis elbow (I believe) is caused by repetitive movements of the arm.
2) How the hell can you diagnose over the phone?

I'm worried that I may be doing more harm as my work day consists of lifting crates sometimes weighing in excess of 20kg. Surely an X-ray or scan should have at least been offered before making such a diagnosis.

Thanks.

[nailit]

//Nailit, I think its worth giving the doc a shout about the lifting of weight at work if he hasn't told you its ok. A week is not long to fix if it is tennis elbow.//
Explained to GP about work. He didnt explain to me about how I would survive waiting 5 weeks for Universal Credit.

[Sqad]

"Tennis elbow, to the best of my knowledge, is a repetitive injury, not one brought on by trauma."

Then you are mistaken Nailit.

[nailit]

Then so be it Sqad. :-)

[alavahalf]

Having had to change my job because of Tendonitis I can assure you the pain does not go down the forearm. I first developed it 25 years ago and it lasted for 3-4 years, really bad. Although it doesn't bother me too much now, it is always there in the background ready to be unleashed.
Here's one for Sqad .. for the past week I have been using a post mortem scalpel. The action required when using this scalpel is applying lots of pressure with the forefinger, this repetetive action has caused my Tendonitis to flare up.
If you straighten the arm affected, grip the wrist with your other hand and run your other hand up to your elbow. Your first finger will find a hollow just above the elbow, just between the tendons.. That is where you will find the acute pain caused by tendonitis.
One thing to look forward to is Cortisone Injections ..
they are the only thing that hurt more than the Tendonitis itself !

[nailit]

Sqad, been using Ibuprofen gel an elbow support.
Are they any good, longterm?

[ummmm]

Without reading all the answers...if you'd broke/fractured/chipped it you wouldn't be lifting crates.

[Sqad]

It is worth a try Nailit but I wouldn't get too excited.

[alavahalf]

Northener's are made of sternner stuff ummm ..

[nailit]

//if you'd broke/fractured/chipped it you wouldn't be lifting crates//
Exactly....

But still dont know what it is.
Only started after an acciddent.
And identified with a phone call??

[woofgang]

if the doc gives you a fit note, can you not be signed off work?

[retrocop]

Although I am not suggesting you have a life or death injury this report goes some way to show the reluctance of any one attending A&E for any reason.Totally unnecessary to avoid A&E if an X-Ray may assist in a rapid diagnosis.




//News
Coronavirus: For every three COVID-19 deaths, lockdown may have caused another two
Sky News
Tom Rayner, political correspondent
,Sky News•8 August 2020

Coronavirus: For every three COVID-19 deaths, lockdown may have caused another two
More
The national lockdown may have indirectly caused 16,000 excess deaths in two months, according to government analysts.

The new report says a reluctance to attend A&E and difficulties accessing medical assistance likely meant that for every three deaths from coronavirus itself, a further two occurred because of the wider impact of the lockdown.

The findings provide a possible explanation for the prime minister's recent claim that another full national lockdown would only be considered as a "nuclear option".

The estimates, made by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and analysts from several government departments, suggest there were 38,500 excess deaths in England connected to COVID-19 between March and 1 May.

However, the report concludes 41% of those deaths were the result of missed medical care rather than the virus itself.

Of the 16,000 deaths, the paper estimates 6,000 were as a result of a "significant reduction in A&E attendances and emergency admissions".

It states: "Some of this is unmet need, possibly due to patients' reluctance to seek medical attention or other changes to protocols."//


https://uk.news.yahoo.com/coronavirus-lockdown-may-indirectly-caused-16-000-excess-023700689.html

[nailit]

//One thing to look forward to is Cortisone Injections ..
they are the only thing that hurt more than the Tendonitis itself//
OUCH!

//if the doc gives you a fit note, can you not be signed off work?//
Suppose thats an option Woof, but think I'd go mad without my job to keep me occupied during the day.

That link was an interesting read retro, thanks.

[teacake44]

Most of the doctors now are all fighting to become TV stars. However when someone phones in about a problem on TV, the TV doctor advises them to make an immediate appointment with their own doctor.????

[Mamyalynne]

You mentioned a walk in centre with x ray facilities earlier - that sounds like a good option.

I broke my humerus over a year ago and I couldn't wind up a watch for months,let alone lift a weight.

Worth getting an x ray if it will put your mind at rest.

[woofgang]

Nailit what is it you want? You are worried about doing more harm but don't want to be signed off work.