29 March, 2015

Can Elbow

Chuck's waiting...

Angel's waiting...
Cases of canned cat food, waiting...
My right elbow has been aching for months.  It feels like I've bumped the inside against something hard.  But there is no bruise.  At first, I figured it was an injury that I did not remember, or from carrying too much weight on my right hand fingers, when I hook the  gallon water jug and balance full food plates when I feed the 'o' cats.  But week after week, and no relief.  Being right-handed, I'm thinking What the hey?

Enter relative, who says he's having the same problem, and he's nailed his pain down to using a computer mouse for endless hours a day. That's right, folks...Mouse Elbow.  Look it up; I'll wait! Yep, on the internet with Tennis Elbow, lives Mouse Elbow. WELL!  I start monitoring my overuse of my paws at the keyboard.  But no, that's not it.  Maybe it's contributing, but there is something else wrong.  

At this point, most folks go to the doctor, or start eating anti-inflammatory meds.  Nope, not me!  I keep searching for the answer.  I go all Sherlock Holmes on everything, which needless to say has driven the hubby a bit batty.  Every time I pick up a spoon, a pen, reach out to grab a coat on a hanger, I've been puzzling out what makes my elbow hurt.

Drum roll...By George, I think I've got it!  OPENING CANNED CAT FOOD!  Pulling on the ring, yanking hard to pop that lid...yep, that hurts! About a month ago, I switched to pulling the lids off using my left hand. This weekend is the first time I've noticed that my right elbow is a tad less sore.  Now, I'm not out of the woods, and I really should high-tail it to the doc, which is on my to-do list.  I promise I will!  But for now, cans are opened on the left side, even if it takes a millisecond longer to dish out noms for the cats...who, trust me!...can tell that I've added a millisecond onto their meals.  


18 comments:

  1. We're glad you figured out what is wrong. Speaking for the feline community, however, we want to point out that a millisecond delay is TOO LONG!!

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  2. Goodness! A feline-care related injury!
    Be gentle with that elbow!

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  3. Now THAT'S a FIRST! "Can elbow!" Hope you find relief soon!

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  4. Can elbow...MOL!
    Good thing you have two elbows, because the kitties are hungry ;)
    Purrs your right elbow gets better soon.
    Purrs Georgia and Julie,
    Treasure and JJ

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  5. Mouse elbow- now that is one I have never heard of. I hope you feel better soon. Turmeric is good for imflamation, maybe that would help.

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  6. MOL! We hope the mom doesn't get can elbow. We won't cut her any slack if she does!

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  7. LOL can elbow!! Well, I'm glad you found out what was causing the pain. It's hard not to know what's going on. Didn't know about mouse elbow :-) I hope using your left hand to open cans will eventually get rid of the pain!

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  8. have you seen these?

    http://smile.amazon.com/Jokari-Ring-Pull-Opener-Non-Slip/dp/B002LF6WS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427693253&sr=8-1&keywords=pop+top+can+opener

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  9. Mouse elbow? We'd pounce all over that! MOL!

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  10. guys...pleez ta tell yur mom her can bee rid oh can elbow like ina week...her just kneadz ta go two de store N get sum fresh surf & turf N seer it over an open flame for ewe ....

    DINNERZ REDDY !!!!

    and....noe mor can elbow !!! kewl huh !! ☺

    ♥♥♥

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  11. We've never heard of can elbow, but one can buy ring top can openers!

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  12. me thinks if you lets a kitty purr over your elbow it will feel better... maybe.. mom read today about how purrz vibrations heal humans... hmm. -Joey.

    I usually get can tab thumbs...and thumb pains from typing the space bar over and over versus elbows. Although I have had elbow pains before too... So mouse elbow is a new one to me!

    Hope alternating helps...Turmeric is really good. Also krill oil and Tart cherry extract
    purrz, Mom Katie and The Katie Katz.

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  13. Eeek, so sorry! My mom developed cubital tunnel syndrome years ago after hand-scraping a hardwood floor, so she really *can* feel your pain! Stopping that and resting the arm helped. Since her mouse usage was constant at work, a wrist brace helped in minimizing arm movement while the elbow healed on its own. Needless to say, she stays away from repetitive motions with that arm!

    Hope it continues to heal for you!

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  14. Oh my gosh, cat food can elbow! Who would have thought?! I'm glad you figured it out and using your left hand is helping to let your elbow heal.

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  15. Wow, good for you, figuring it out like that! Hope the left-handed approach continues to help.

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  16. http://www.amazon.com/Fox-Run-Can-Tab-Opener/dp/B0000CFS96

    I had something like this for a while, made opening cans so much easier..

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  17. Great article, Thanks for your great information, the content is quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.

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  18. Blogging is the new poetry. I find it wonderful and amazing in many ways.

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