Elbow trouble

[Flatland]

I have developed an elbow problem that I've kind of tried to ignore :oops: , but realise that I need to get resolved. I know that internet diagnosis is not possible - I really am just looking for advice on what kind of care to seek.

A bit of background: My main sport is flatland BMX freestyle biking - this is riding on flat pavement - things like rolling and spinning on one wheel, etc. I also train off bike - Clubbells, Kettlebells, barbells, gymnastic strength drills, WW, Body-flow and more. As I live in Washington, I am hoping to enter the OCS competition.

When the problem started, I would get a sharp pain in my forearm in the area of my finger extensors. This went away, but crepitus and restricted range of motion at the elbow joint was next. I cannot straighten it out all the way, nor flex it fully either. I have had this problem for at least a year. Recently, residual muscle tension in my bicep has begun to slightly irritate my shoulder. Last spring, I saw an orthopedist - he did x-rays and a MRI - but couldn't find any problem. :?: I also saw a chiro. He did some cross friction massage, which gave very limited relief. As the discomfort level would always vary inconsistently, I never could discern what was irritating it. Some days, riding my bike would bother it in a hurry, other days I could practice hard for hours and it would be fine. The same with traininig.

So, what plan of action might be best at this point? A friend of mine has suggested going to a rolfer, but I fear this may still just be addressing the symptom, and not the cause. Any ideas?

Scott Hagnas
Camas, WA

[rbibbs]

(preliminary response deleted by author)
Definitive response follows.

[Scott Sonnon]

Scott,

I suspect that chronic arm-pump from your sport caused an adaptation of sustained tension on the multi-joint muscles surrounding the elbow including the shoulder, wrist and fingers.

Palpate your Lateral Epicondyle and let me know on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst) the discomfort you feel. Now, do the same and scale the Medial Epicondyle.

Hit the DROM exercises from Warrior Wellness beginning with your fingers, then wrist, then elbow, shoulder (Arm Screw and Circles/Infinities), then the arm in Waves. Mobilize your Mid-Cervical Spine through neck rolls and DROM as well as your Cervicothoracic Junction and Upper Ribs.

Then palpate the two areas again and scale 1-10. Let me know the results.

I hear you saying that you're frustrated and concerned with this issue. However, don't worry. Based upon what you've told me so far, I suspect that you can resolve this within 20-30 minutes at best, a few days at worst.

Once you're back to snuff, I already created a program to abate the armpump in BMX'ing, Counter-Conditioning Arm-Pump (http://www.renegadetraining.com/code_01_15_03/scott_sonnon.html).

[Flatland]

You may be right. Though the type of BMX I do does not involve landing from height (only as high as I can jump under my own power - no ramp), there is quite often static holds with my elbow flexed. However, I have done this for years without problem until now.

No, I can't straighten it out, even with a near maximal attempt. One possible cause might have been doing KB snatches with what I found out later was bad form on the lowering portion. Perhaps that started the injury, then the riding stress is enough to keep it from healing.

Daily WW and Body flow has done wonders for my recovery, active range of motion, and several little nagging injuries. My elbow is the only thing that I haven't had luck with.

Thanks-
Scott

[Scott Sonnon]

You may be right. Though the type of BMX I do does not involve landing from height (only as high as I can jump under my own power - no ramp), there is quite often static holds with my elbow flexed. However, I have done this for years without problem until now. I suspected the damage wasn't sudden, but rather cumulative. This makes total sense.

No, I can't straighten it out, even with a near maximal attempt. One possible cause might have been doing KB snatches with what I found out later was bad form on the lowering portion. Perhaps that started the injury, then the riding stress is enough to keep it from healing. Okay, with impaired extension, I suspect that you'll have greater discomfort palpating the Medial Epicondyle. Also check the Medial end of your clavicle on that side.

Daily Warrior Wellness™ and Body-Flow™ has done wonders for my recovery, active range of motion, and several little nagging injuries. My elbow is the only thing that I haven't had luck with. Have you been hitting your finger and hand waves (definitely hit all fingers and thumbs as well as the hand as a unit in waves and circles)? The pain in your elbow I suspect from your report originates from sustained tension in your grip (it's actually a common issue with people who inappropriately death grip in lifting.) Follow the other DROM suggestions and you should be good to go. Perform the exercises 3-5 reps per direction per joint about 3X/day for the next few days, or as needed.

Thanks-
Scott[/quote]

[Flatland]

Thanks for your quick responses! I found that Lateral Epicondyle started at a 7, but dropped to a 4 after the DROM work. The Medial Epicondyle was at 8, and did not change after the DROM.

You are right about having more pain on the Medial Epicondyle. I do have a little tendrerness at the Medial end of my clavicle - and I do have a clicking coming from that area when I do my shoulder circles,etc.

I did train about an hour before doing this test, and had finished the session with arm, elbow, and hand infinities. Hopefully, this didn't skew the results. Yes, I do the hand DROM work, but I need to increase my work in this area.

I will do as you suggested, thank you again! Should I cut back on riding and training during this time?

Scott Hagnas

[Scott Sonnon]

That's what I suspected. Cut back on the riding for a few days. Let's reassess after that point.