original question I have a pain on the tip of my right elbow. I have gone to three doctors, and they have all diagnosed the problem as elbow tendonitis. however I believe it is a bone spur. I believe this because I recently broke a bone and had to undergo bed rest for two months. instead of getting better, my pain got considerably worst. I believe this is because the spur is rubbing against the bed sheets. when I attempted to discuss this with a doctor, he got noticeably defensive and said that there is no evidence that bone spurs cause pain, and even if they did there is nothing that can be done about it. what is the truth here? Doctor s reply to your question above... Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Bone spur itself is not painful but if it causes compression of the adjoining soft tissues or cause inflammation of the surrounding tendons then it can cause pain. Bone spurs if these are symptomatic can be removed surgically or local steroid injections can be given to decrease the inflammation. You can get an X-ray of your elbow in lateral view to detect any bony spurs in the area. A soft tissue abnormality like tendonitis can be best diagnosed with MRI scan. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal second question thanks. can you please direct me about what to do next, to actively address the pain? of course, i have had a x-ray. the x-ray appears, to me, to show a visible bone spur. however all my doctors have informed me that this is not a bone spur, but is instead a calcium deposit . this deposit, or whatever one calls it, appears to have grown considerably in the last two years. all my doctors have told me that this is not a problem, and that the calcium deposit will eventually be re-absorbed into the muscle. again, all my doctors have consistently informed me that this deposit will not cause pain. I have requested a MRI to confirm that it is actually tendonitis, instead of a bone spur, but they have said that a MRI would be a waste of time. these are the best orthopedic doctors in this city (Gainesville Fl) and are well respected. if I were to proceed to the next step, to challenge their diagnosis, I would need to travel to another city. what should I do?
Hi! I feel that given the fact that the seemingly best Orthopedics of Gainesville, Florida have come to a diagnosis and conclusion that you strongly differ with, you have the full right to contest this diagnosis. If you do not get all the doubts out of your mind, you will feel miserable. Since, it's just a matter of a radiological examination, I suggest that you get this done, the MRI, I mean, in a different city. It is definitely worth the time, money and energy spent to do this. Imagine how good you'll feel at the end of it. Note that I have not argued nor contested any doctors' diagnosis. Please make arrangements to visit a nearby city where you can get this done. Thanks. Chat Doctor.