Is this tennis elbow?

[ConfusedHur]

I think this is repetitive strain - as my job involves long periods on the keyboard for almost 30 years - or tennis elbow. Soreness around left elbow, soreness lifting or holding things, raising arm above my head. Starting to feel uncomfortable when working. I don't know whether to leave it and hopefully it'll sort itself out, or go to GP/ physio. Also, I'm right-hand dominant and this is my left.

Tennis elbow or golfers elbow, depending on whether it's the inside of your elbow or the outside. Tendinitis, in other words.

See a physio, sort out your workstation ergonomics, check you aren't carrying too heavy weights or driving a car with a ridiculous gear change, nsaids if you can take them, ice and do the physio exercises.

I had this for 2 months before I went to see a physio & have acupuncture.

It is finally starting to get better.

Don't leave it as long as I did.

It's on the outer part.

That makes it Tennis Elbow, as you said - it's damage/inflammation of the tendons from your forearm.

The NHS stuff is here www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/#:~:text=Tennis%20elbow%20is%20a%20condition,forearm%2C%20near%20the%20elbow%20joint

It begins to ease when you look after it, stop the mechanics that have led to it in the first place - some people find buying a strap for the forearm helps (they're imaginatively enough listed as 'tennis elbow strap' on Amazon) as they support the area. Seeing a physio is definitely something to do sooner rather than later.

Thanks. I'll get the strap and book physio. I know my job is likely the cause but I have to keep working.

You don't have to stop working, you just have to stop putting the same stresses on your arm - which is largely done by really carefully looking at workstation ergonomics; especially your hand and arm positioning.

If your wrists are dropping down whilst you type in a V or your hands are bent downwards too much in an inverted V, you're putting stress on the muscles and therefore on the tendons, for example - but keeping them in a neutral position and just moving your fingers with relaxed shoulders and a healthy back and head posture, your screen boosted up on books so you're looking straight ahead, rather than down, reduces the physical stress, for example. Having a decent seat helps. Taking breaks, cold packs and regularly stretching and relaxing tight muscles helps.

If you're in an office, they should be helping you with this because it's so important.

Go to your GP.

I've been touch-typing every working day for 34 years. I have had this issue and recently had blood tests and x-rays done.

The only thing that the blood tests showed was a lack of folic acid, so I've got to start taking a supplement (plus exercising and eating healthier). It may be something that a physio can do nothing about, so don't waste money going to one until you've been diagnosed.

Sounds like it. Physio did nothing for mine. Time and rest did.