While I was swimming 5 miles on Monday (first time doing this distance), my right elbow started hurting and it did again today when doing an easy 2 miles before work. With my arm outstretched, palm facing up, the pain is on the right, outside side of my elbow, which I think might be lateral epicondylitis, as opposed to medial epicondylitis. I will see the NP in the orthopedic/sports medicine office tomorrow. He's the same guy who misdiagnosed my foot injury for months, which eventually required major surgery that put an end to my long-distance running so I will also follow up with a sports medicine specialist, but may not be able to see him until June 23rd.
In the meantime, any tips on the best type of catch and pull that will not put further stress on this part of my elbow?
Sorry to hear about the continued soreness you are experiencing. However, you don't necessarily need to avoid the pool entirely. There is so much you can do without the use of your injured arm! I will often have swimmers experiencing injuries focus on kicking sets or single arm sets so that they are continuing to build up endurance and strength while allowing their injury to heal. While many swimmers feel that full stroke is the only way to go, that is actually quite far from the truth. If done properly and appropriately, drills can be just as much of a strength and technique-building exercise as regular swimming sets. The most important thing for you not to do is to fall into a cycle where you are out of the pool for days at a time, and return, only to have the problem flare up again and once more be forced to step away from the pool. Try to keep practicing in the pool without using your injured arm and then when you feel fully recovered, you can begin introducing fullstroke gradually. Good luck!
Sorry to hear about the continued soreness you are experiencing. However, you don't necessarily need to avoid the pool entirely. There is so much you can do without the use of your injured arm! I will often have swimmers experiencing injuries focus on kicking sets or single arm sets so that they are continuing to build up endurance and strength while allowing their injury to heal. While many swimmers feel that full stroke is the only way to go, that is actually quite far from the truth. If done properly and appropriately, drills can be just as much of a strength and technique-building exercise as regular swimming sets. The most important thing for you not to do is to fall into a cycle where you are out of the pool for days at a time, and return, only to have the problem flare up again and once more be forced to step away from the pool. Try to keep practicing in the pool without using your injured arm and then when you feel fully recovered, you can begin introducing fullstroke gradually. Good luck!
