UKH

I've started having some elbow pain, which flares up after certain movements (including non-climbing things like lifting a heavy saucepan by the handle), and then takes a week or so to settle down. Pushups, pull-ups etc lead to clicking noises in the elbow (and sometimes the aforementioned pain) which also leave me concerned. I've generally found GPs to be very poor in diagnosing and treating sports injuries (as they simply recommend rest), and was wondering who folks here tend to go see when injured (I've had very mixed luck with physios in the past, and am wondering if I need more aggressive treatment than a physio can provide)?

In my experience, anyone you go to see will think that their method is exactly what you need. Doubt the GP (whose 'thing' is prescribing drugs) will be interested. Personally I'd see any treatment more aggressive than physio (i.e surgery, drug injection) to be a last resort. 

You need someone with experience of climbers with dodgy elbows, i.e. the right physio. Many physios will be the wrong physio. Dave macloeds book is also worth a read.

Just my 2p.

I self treated a similar sounding elbow pain using articles including below:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/injuries/injury_management_and_preventi...

http://climbingphysio.blogspot.com/

   It took time and patience but really worked for me. Then got more strict in my warm up and cool down, especially doing antagonistic exercises. I have also used a physiotherapist who is a climber and treats lots of climbers - she was recommended to me by others. A couple of sessions worked wonders. So perhaps ask other climbers in your area for their recommendations.

I have a similar issue, and went to see a physio who prescribed exercises. Two weeks on, there’s modest improvement, but I’m expecting it to take 6 to 8 weeks.

Key learning for me is that elbows are complex; I have hurt some specific tendons, and the exercises I’m doing reflect that, they are not the same exercises shown in the link. If you can afford it, then I think it’s worth seeing a physio.

Many thanks for all the useful feedback, looks like I'm on the hunt for a good climbing physio.

Nir

Does it hurt on the inside or outside of elbow?

I found physios pretty much useless. My advice would be that whatever exercises you do, do them on a high load. I'm on Isometrics, but some people have seen success on eccentrics as well.

I'd suggest you need to see someone who can give you a good ultrasound and be able to read it, to diagnose it, because if you have a tear you will need a different approach if you don't It might be very painful and not have a tear for example. 

I've done PRP injections, I wouldn't recommend. I've done polidocanol injections, and those I do recommend.

Not sure where you are based?

I had good experience with Rob Barker, Fairway Physio, Lancaster. He's not a climber, but he has treated many and I think was formerly based at/near Kendall wall prior to starting his own practise. Sorted out a very painful tennis elbow problem I had. (Induced by poor use of a tool, rather than climbing). It took about 8 sessions over 12 weeks. It was a lot more involved than I thought - ultrasound therapy, off-loading the affected tendon with taping & re-training the shoulder movement, then slowly building up strength in the tendon with specific weight exercises. 

I agree with advice of going to see a good climbing physio, and reading / watching you-tube by Dave Macleod.  

I've had elbow problems for years, at varying levels. in time I've learned what works for me to manage it. The trick is getting informed enough to work out what works for you to manage it, which takes some time, trial and error, and the help of the right professionals. 

I spent a lot of time on the wrong track with well meaning physios and even orthopedic surgeons, who frankly, didn't a clue. So be picky and take advice to find a good one. 

Just chiming in to agree with what others have said - many doctors and physios have no experience of climbing injuries and are not au-fait with the best treatment for them

I strongly recommend reading the article that Mark Haward posted (again: https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/injuries/injury_management_and_preventi...), it is an excellent summary of the source and treatment of elbow pain for climbers.

I have suffered (and still suffer) from periodic flare ups of both medial and lateral epicondylitis and the exercises in the article always make it disappear in short time.

You need an elbow doctor.

Hi Steve, I'm in Aberdeen, so chances of finding a specialist physio are probably slim.