Asking the local flight doc a question by itself doesn't necessarily DNIF you

 

By "flight doc" do you mean AME or actual military flight surgeon?

USMCFLYR

 

I am not a doctor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so here goes: Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory that performs its magic by reducing the inflammation in and around a particular area of the body. This reduction of inflammation is what makes you feel better. It does not fix the underlying problem, unless the inflammation does not come back. However, there are techniques, that when used in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory, can and do produce healing results, especially in injuries such as tennis or golf elbow.

What I've used successfully, on multiple occasions, is some anti-inflammatory and then some "frictioning." Frictioning is the breaking up of the scar tissue that has formed from the mini-tears that are the result of tennis or golf elbow. It should initially be performed by a physical therapist, but once seen and understood, can be done by the individual. After frictioning, an ice pack should be applied to help with the pain and reduce swelling. Frictioning does work, but is painful during treatment, but then again, no pain, no gain.

Another good way to control inflammation is by using the topical drug Voltaren Gel. It's a prescription drug, so you'll have to get it from your doctor, but applied 3 or 4 times a day, to the effected area, really helps keep any swelling down, thereby relieving the pain. The stuff is absorbed into the body very quickly, so you'll feel almost immediate relief.

Again, I'm not a doctor, but all of the above has worked to help keep me pain free, with no side effects whatsoever. YMMV.