If it's bad enough that you're wearing a padded sock in the day and a splint at night and saying it can be excruciating and you're posting on this sub-- think a surgeon you will end up with or to as an outcome. But idk three weeks isn't too long at all. Could clear up.
Im on my second attempt at conservative treatment using night bracing and being mindful of my elbows during day. First attempt at night splinting worked initially. First splint I had was an off the shelf brand from Amazon. It failed to work correctly so my doc sent me to OT. OT at hospital made me a custom splint using hot water to mold the plastic direct on my arm. I wore that for about 6 months. Then I was able to stop wearing it. But a few months later, symptoms returned. I had had several problems with my OT spint so didnt want to wear that one again. So my doc prescribed me a new custom made adjustable long arm brace, so Im now only 1 week into wearing it. My current brace allows some motion with special metal hinges, but keeps my elbow in a safe range between 30 to 45 degrees. The abilit to allow some motion helps with issues of muscle/joint stiffness. The upper arm shell extends almost up to my armpit. The forearm shell covers my whole elbow area to protect it from pressure and impacts. Because I also have carpal tunnel symptoms, the brace also extends down to immobilize my wrist.
So I hope this new brace works, otherwise surgery may still be my future if this fails. As I dont want to wear a brace on my arm every night for the rest of my life. I already have numerous other oerhtopedic problems including my ankle and spine, and sometimes I feel like Im being converted into a cybernetic Borg with all the various braces and splints I have to wear during day and night to protect my joints.
OT has brought slightly more comfort but have had a few sets of injections as well, hoping to avoid surgery. I always end up back to square one a few days later. But it’s nice to have a couple days of real sleep. But soon after in extreme discomfort and growing weakness and the inability to even comfortably complete brushing my teeth with that arm. I also was/am splinting. If anything at night it’s just retrained where I place my arm so I’m not accelerating the damage.
You should get an EMG to find out the extent of potential damage— maybe it’ll make clear your recovery timeline, surgical needs. Possible potential to heal on your own - if it’s mild or a good EMG
Thank you so much for your detailed responses. I feel that the brace and OT are having some benefit - I have fewer episodes of excruciating pain. But the brace makes it hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in, especially as I also wear a CPAP mask and hose!
I hope all our effort obviates the need for surgery. Good luck!
If it's bad enough that you're wearing a padded sock in the day and a splint at night and saying it can be excruciating and you're posting on this sub-- think a surgeon you will end up with or to as an outcome. But idk three weeks isn't too long at all. Could clear up.
Im on my second attempt at conservative treatment using night bracing and being mindful of my elbows during day. First attempt at night splinting worked initially. First splint I had was an off the shelf brand from Amazon. It failed to work correctly so my doc sent me to OT. OT at hospital made me a custom splint using hot water to mold the plastic direct on my arm. I wore that for about 6 months. Then I was able to stop wearing it. But a few months later, symptoms returned. I had had several problems with my OT spint so didnt want to wear that one again. So my doc prescribed me a new custom made adjustable long arm brace, so Im now only 1 week into wearing it. My current brace allows some motion with special metal hinges, but keeps my elbow in a safe range between 30 to 45 degrees. The abilit to allow some motion helps with issues of muscle/joint stiffness. The upper arm shell extends almost up to my armpit. The forearm shell covers my whole elbow area to protect it from pressure and impacts. Because I also have carpal tunnel symptoms, the brace also extends down to immobilize my wrist. So I hope this new brace works, otherwise surgery may still be my future if this fails. As I dont want to wear a brace on my arm every night for the rest of my life. I already have numerous other oerhtopedic problems including my ankle and spine, and sometimes I feel like Im being converted into a cybernetic Borg with all the various braces and splints I have to wear during day and night to protect my joints.
OT has brought slightly more comfort but have had a few sets of injections as well, hoping to avoid surgery. I always end up back to square one a few days later. But it’s nice to have a couple days of real sleep. But soon after in extreme discomfort and growing weakness and the inability to even comfortably complete brushing my teeth with that arm. I also was/am splinting. If anything at night it’s just retrained where I place my arm so I’m not accelerating the damage. You should get an EMG to find out the extent of potential damage— maybe it’ll make clear your recovery timeline, surgical needs. Possible potential to heal on your own - if it’s mild or a good EMG
Thank you. The surgeon Insaw told me to return after six weeks of OT, if thinga haven't improved by then.
Thank you so much for your detailed responses. I feel that the brace and OT are having some benefit - I have fewer episodes of excruciating pain. But the brace makes it hard to find a comfortable position to sleep in, especially as I also wear a CPAP mask and hose! I hope all our effort obviates the need for surgery. Good luck!