Tennis Elbow Treatments

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   I developed tennis elbow in both arms over a year ago.  I have had 4 cortisone injections in my left elbow and 3 in my right.  I kept my left arm in a removable brace for 8 weeks with only mild relief.  My ortho tells me I've done everything there is to do for both arms.  Because my right elbow is now the worse of the two, I am scheduled to have surgery (release and debridement) on 10/19.

My husband told me a PT friend of his mentioned ASTYM to him and recommended it over surgery.  I had mentioned it to my Ortho earlier this year, but he didn't know what it was.  Another PT friend of mine also said that after all I've gone through surgery is my best option.  Neither my ortho nor 2 other PTs ever brought up the ASTYM option.  In fact, they both said that physical therapy for chronic tennis elbow like mine is rarely beneficial.

Does anyone here know anything about ASTYM or how effective it may be?  Surgery is in less than 2 weeks so I don't have much time, but would prefer not to do it if there is another option.  Any thoughts?

Thanks.

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elpmom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: Oct 08 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote elpmom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Tennis Elbow Treatments Posted: Oct 08 2009 at 8:22am
	I developed tennis elbow in both arms over a year ago. I have had 4 cortisone injections in my left elbow and 3 in my right. I kept my left arm in a removable brace for 8 weeks with only mild relief. My ortho tells me I've done everything there is to do for both arms. Because my right elbow is now the worse of the two, I am scheduled to have surgery (release and debridement) on 10/19. My husband told me a PT friend of his mentioned ASTYM to him and recommended it over surgery. I had mentioned it to my Ortho earlier this year, but he didn't know what it was. Another PT friend of mine also said that after all I've gone through surgery is my best option. Neither my ortho nor 2 other PTs ever brought up the ASTYM option. In fact, they both said that physical therapy for chronic tennis elbow like mine is rarely beneficial. Does anyone here know anything about ASTYM or how effective it may be? Surgery is in less than 2 weeks so I don't have much time, but would prefer not to do it if there is another option. Any thoughts? Thanks.

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georgeu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: Jul 21 2008 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote georgeu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 7:19am
	Don't know too much about it, but from what I've heard its effectiveness is up in the air. Here is a link to see what other physical therapists are saying about ASTYM http://physicaltherapy.rehabedge.com/Talk_to_me_about_ASTYM/m_56638/tm.htm

elpmom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: Oct 08 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote elpmom Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Oct 12 2009 at 8:27am
	Thanks....that's what I was looking for. Now I understand why my MD and PT friends haven't heard of it. Think I'll proceed with the surgery. The thought of someone going at my painful elbows with plastic devices that may or may not help makes me cringe. Surgery does, too, but I'm more hopeful it will work and not be time wasted.

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