I've Got This Lump On Me Elbow

West Ender · 30-04-2009, 20:40

This is mainly, I suppose, a plea to our medical members (several nurses and at least one doctor as I recall). I'm in real pain, here, and it looks - well, it looks quite funny actually.

I've used a computer for years. I used one at work, all day long, for over 15 years and I've always used one at home too. Using a mouse with my right hand has led me to lean on my left elbow - and it's gone "funny".

Years ago, I damaged this elbow when I slipped on stage and chipped a tiny bit of bone at the end of it. I've had tennis elbow in it and had a hydrocortizone injection which hurt like hell, and cured it, but now..... The end of my bone hurts to the touch and I've got a great big lump on the elbow itself. This lump is, actually, painless and I think it's a sac of fluid. When my arm's straight it looks like a cartoon elbow - with this great big knob on it.

So, what can I do about the pain at the end of the bone (radius or ulna, I haven't a clue which) and can I do anything about the squishy lump because it's driving me crackers?

Thank you.

Retlaw · 30-04-2009, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

This is mainly, I suppose, a plea to our medical members (several nurses and at least one doctor as I recall). I'm in real pain, here, and it looks - well, it looks quite funny actually.

I've used a computer for years. I used one at work, all day long, for over 15 years and I've always used one at home too. Using a mouse with my right hand has led me to lean on my left elbow - and it's gone "funny".

Years ago, I damaged this elbow when I slipped on stage and chipped a tiny bit of bone at the end of it. I've had tennis elbow in it and had a hydrocortizone injection which hurt like hell, and cured it, but now..... The end of my bone hurts to the touch and I've got a great big lump on the elbow itself. This lump is, actually, painless and I think it's a sac of fluid. When my arm's straight it looks like a cartoon elbow - with this great big knob on it.

So, what can I do about the pain at the end of the bone (radius or ulna, I haven't a clue which) and can I do anything about the squishy lump because it's driving me crackers?

Thank you.

I had similar problems, seen typists of the old school who have changed to computers, and developed wrist and elbow problems.
I have my keyboard tilted at a 10 degree angle, and my left elbow is on a pad made from 3 bathroom sponges wrapped inside a plastic bag then covered with leatheret. Pains gone.

Retlaw.

Margaret Pilkington · 30-04-2009, 20:50

go and see your Doctor...it sounds like you may have a collection of fluid which needs to be aspirated....but it needs to be checked out.
OK.......I know that I am a fine one to give this kind of advice......but in the end I took your advice

MargaretR · 30-04-2009, 21:21

I had a lump of fluid on my elbow last summer - golf ball size.
The doc said 'bursitis' and painlessly drained it with a hypodermic needle.
The fluid was 'watery milk like' - no blood.
I might be the same - but my elbow was not painful.

West Ender · 30-04-2009, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

go and see your Doctor...it sounds like you may have a collection of fluid which needs to be aspirated....but it needs to be checked out.
OK.......I know that I am a fine one to give this kind of advice......but in the end I took your advice

Oh ******. I was hoping for a quick fix without seeing the GP. I am constantly bothering him about my heart/lung/blood pressure/blood sugar/thyroid gland problems. If I go in pointing my elbow at him, he's likely to think I'm a complete wreck. This lad is new to GPing. He's taken over from David, who I knew for over 30 years, and he's just a lad. I must be the stuff of his nightmares.

Ah well. If I must ........

shillelagh · 30-04-2009, 21:31

Can i make the recommendation you see him as soon as its possible .... i had one on my knee ... left it and it went away 3 months later i was in blackburn royal having an emergency op on my knee and off work for 6 weeks ...

West Ender · 30-04-2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Can i make the recommendation you see him as soon as its possible .... i had one on my knee ... left it and it went away 3 months later i was in blackburn royal having an emergency op on my knee and off work for 6 weeks ...

Well I hope it's all better now. Wow, I thought it was nothing much.

cashman · 30-04-2009, 21:35

go to the quacks cath, ya paid enough national insurance in yer time.

Margaret Pilkington · 30-04-2009, 21:35

I understand your reticence entirely, but I feel that this is unlikely to go away on its own.
I'm sure your young broth of a boy GP will be kind to you...especially as you sound like you might have a season ticket

Margaret Pilkington · 30-04-2009, 21:36

See Cath, we are all singing from the same hymn sheet...and all in the same church too!

MargaretR · 30-04-2009, 21:45

I avoid docs too

, so I did research an alternative, and did find one.
There exists a herbal pad which you place and bandage to the site for a couple of nights in a row.
It claimed that it drew the fluid out using osmosis.
Sounded messy - and since the needle would be taking stuff out and not putting stuff in,
I opted for it

shillelagh · 30-04-2009, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

Well I hope it's all better now. Wow, I thought it was nothing much.

oh its fine now .. just a neat little scar about half an inch long ... but do go and see him ... i thought mine was nowt cos it had gone away .. then my knee ballooned up to twice its normal size and couldnt bend it ...

West Ender · 30-04-2009, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

I avoid docs too

, so I did research an alternative, and did find one.
There exists a herbal pad which you place and bandage to the site for a couple of nights in a row.
It claimed that it drew the fluid out using osmosis.
Sounded messy - and since the needle would be taking stuff out and not putting stuff in,
I opted for it

And it's called.......?