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Do these exist?
The switch to gravel riding means my soul is destroyed but also I seem to be aggravating my sore elbow. This is apparently tennis elbow and can be treated with cold compresses and topical pain killers.
My experience with Volteral and other such ointments is that there only purpose is to make you feel like you are doing something to treat it while wasting your time and money.
Anyone found anything that works in removing pain and swelling from their elbows?
A brace, I also found a compression sleeve worked for me. Something like this, it's actually remarkably effective at reducing the discomfort in the immediate term too.
Ionocore® Tennis Elbow Strap - Golfers Arm Support Brace with EVA Compression Pad - Fully Adjustable & Lightweight Pain Relief Forearm Protection - For Golf, Home & Gym Weightlifting (1) https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XC9TW57/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_MD9DHGSAHZM9553A0J92?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I had it pretty bad over the years and painkillers only really ever take the edge off. The green Theraband flexbar is the only thing that actually gave some relief. It hurts like a bastard when doing the exercises but it does feel better soon after doing the exercises. Doing it twice a day for a few months has pretty much cured it now and I've not had any pain for over a year.
This is apparently tennis elbow and can be treated with cold compresses and topical pain killers.
Won't fix the underlying problem which is tendonitis. You need to back off and load the tendon gradually at a level it can tolerate without getting worse.
All painkillers / compresses do is reduce the immediate symptoms, they don't increase the tendon's tolerance to load. They might enable you to increase the load without realising that you're just making it worse.
You're just masking the problem.
http://drjuliansaunders.com/ask-dr-j-issue-223-dodgy-elbows-revisited/
Sorry, not answering the question you asked, but are you sure it's tennis elbow?
I've spent a huge amount of time fiddling with saddle positions due to a hip issue, but I found it took very little forward tilt to 'tip' me on to bars and cause what I thought were tennis elbow symptoms, one ride felt like I couldn't go on then I tilted saddle back a tiny bit and instant relief!
Tennis elbow just refers to pain that persists beyond exercise around the exterior of the elbow - if you're waking up with achey elbows, then something is going on which needs addressing. WCA does need to look at his riding position - it's possible the symptoms are being triggered by ulnar nerve issues, but strengthening the tendons is the long-term solution.
A good sports physio - particularly if they have some knowledge about climbing injuries - will also be helpful if it carries on or gets worse.
What Marin Hutch said. The exercises in the link using a dumbbell with a weight on only side have made elbow pain a thing of the past for me. I use a sawn off wooden broomstick with a 1.25kg plate on the end and do the exercises them while watching TV.
I found that for my tennis elbow that using a lacrosse ball to do myofascial release/trigger point really helped.
Just do it for a long while whilst whatching tv/on conf calls or whatever. You also need to do it so hard it actually hurts a bit.
Ice is no good, blood flow to the area and antagonist exercises. I used to do one arm pull ups so know all about elbow problems and how to fix them from experience. If it gives you pain riding then fatten up the handlebar grips, this will provide some relief.