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Post by erictheviking on Sept 3, 2007 17:24:08 GMT 1
Hi all After a not being able to compete for over a year due to a mysterious elbow injury which no scans were able to diagnose I had an Arthroscopy 2 weeks ago, the surgeon found that I had severe synovitis and removed the offending synovium. I was wondering if anyone has had anything similar and if so how long the recovery took? Thanks in advance, Eric.
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Post by pj on Sept 3, 2007 22:48:03 GMT 1
Eric, Hi, You have had I believe a Synovectomy. Treatment with medication and corticosteroids has been tried presumably. The Synovium is a thin weak layer of tissue ( synovial tissue ) which lines the space within a joint such as the elbow. With prolonged excessive use it can become arthritic which can lead to Synovitis, sometimes known as Capsulitis or Teno-synovitis.
It works in two ways: 1) It acts as a membrane to determine what can pass into the joint and what to keep out. 2)The cells within the Synovium produce Hyalluronan which constitutes the fluid within the joint.
Throwing, amongst other things, causes irritation of the Synovium particularly in conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and it becomes inflamed and thickened.
Methods of treatment are medication, ie. Ibuprofens like Neurofen. Injections of Cortico-Steroid such as Hydrocortisone and as a last resort removal by Synovectomy. Usually done these days by Arthroscopy or Keyhole surgery.
Post Op I am sure you have been told to rest the elbow, physiotherapy, non weight-bearing exercise and take mild anti-inflammatories. Also regular Glucosamine of a relatively high strength would be a good idea. It is not often that people, throwers even, get to the operation stage so listen to your Physician. However without the Synovium, Arthritis is more likely to be chronic.
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Post by erictheviking on Sept 18, 2007 16:13:06 GMT 1
Thanks PJ, suprisingly it's not arthritic, I had an arthroscopy done as a last resort to diagnose to the problem which was stopping me from being able to throw competitively after MRI, CT and ultrasound scans didn't show anything and physio wasn't working, I did some investigting and found a swedish study which found that the synovitis was often a secondary problem occuring after UCL damage and presumabley subsequent compensation by the thrower. I've been told I can start back in the gym 6 weeks after surgery (beginning of october) and will hopfully be fit to start throwing again after christmas.
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Post by pj on Sept 18, 2007 18:28:28 GMT 1
Eric,
That's great news. Make sure you are absolutely fully re-habbed before throwing and all surrounding soft tissue is pain free. Throwing is hugely stressful to the elbow and indeed to the shoulder amongst a lot of other muscle groups.
Phil (PJ)
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Post by pj on Apr 12, 2008 22:29:38 GMT 1
Hi Eric,
What is the latest on your elbow? Are you able to throw pain free yet?
Phil
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