I DO have cat-food-can-opener elbow!

When I last wrote about my sore elbow, here, I promised to get to the doc to have it checked out.

Well, he tells me it's called 'golfer's elbow', and cranking open cat food cans could surely be the reason for the injury!

Medial Epicondyle to you too, buster!

I am certainly not a golfer, so that's out.  The doc gave me a list of exercises to do, plus the best use of a bag of frozen peas or corn kernels; put it on my sore elbow!  I am to avoid strenuous things that make my elbow hurt (like, duh!).  Funny thing is, at the office, I have to pull open doors to move around the facility, and pulling the doors open KILLS my elbow!  Doc says go slow, take your time, and use good posture. Harrumph...

But the kitties must eat, so I continue to use my left hand to pop those cans open.  Thanks to Katnip Lounge and Tails From The Foster Kittens for suggestions on can-opener devices.   Oh, and the chiropractor doc has found a few spinal areas that need work too; kids, take it from me, treat your back NICELY when you are young, otherwise it will come back to haunt you later on...believe me when I say this!

Gratuitous photo of Sweetie hiding in the garden...
has nothing to do with today's post, but she's a cutie!

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.