Hi there,
I am a 24 year old Masters / recreational - level swimmer. I have been swimming for seven years now with no injuries. About two months ago, I suffered a repetitive stress injury at work (I am a research scientist) on my left arm. I have been diagnosed with medial elbow tedinitis and wrist tendinitis. My problem now is that on almost every stroke I take in the pool (free, ***, fly, back are all effected), I have pain in my medial left elbow. Can I modify my technique in any way to relieve the pressure on the elbow? Has anyone else had this problem before? Swimming is my passion, and I am very scared by the level of this pain.
By the way, I have modified my activities at work, it is with swimming that I have most of my pain now.
Thank you for your help!
Former Member
The stroke should be modified. Try a few things if it hurts don't do it. I would get the thumb closer to the body during the catch phase. Have your thumbs close to the body the little fingers almost horizontal to the bottom that may feel better and take the strain off the elbow.
Get the thumb closer to the chest then in this picture. That angle is 110 degrees make it more like 70 degree angle. Until you elbow gets better.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with medial tendonitis of the right elbow. Rest, ice and anti-inflammatories temporarily make it feel better, it did not cure it. Eventually, I went through about 2 months of successful physical therapy. It has been a non-factor since. Good luck.
Interesting. I've developed this same problem during the last two months, due to, I believe, using over-sized hand paddles. I was curious what you did in physical therapy to take care of the problem.
ive had this problem a few times in my career. I invested in a good tennis elbow brace and wore it religiously out of the pool--even to bed. While my elbow was still hurting I would wrap athletic taping around the appropriate spot that the brace would be while I swam--it hindered my swimming a bit, but after 2-3 days it always felt much better and would stay that way for months or long if I was careful about my technique
In my case the physical therapist said my problem originated due to some problems I was having in my hips and legs. As a result of problems, my elbow took the hit.
They used an analogy to explain this. Two men (hips/legs and elbow) were carrying a very heavy load. No problem, both men were sharing the load quite comfortably. Over time one of the men starts having a problem (hips/legs) and drops his share of the load. The other man (elbow) is left holding the load two people used to carry. He carries this load for a while without complaining. But then he gets tired, sore, and eventually injured, so he starts to scream real loud. Is it the second man's fault? No. He was just asked to carry more than his fair share for too long and is now paying the price. Why isn’t the first man screaming and hollering? Why should he? He dropped his load and is not under any stress.
The therapist taught me the proper stretches and strengthening exercises for my hips and legs. After a couple of months, my tendonitis was a non-factor and has not bothered me since. I continue to do these stretches and strengthening exercises even though this occurred two years ago.
Keep in mind tendons have limited blood flow, they take time to heal.
Everyone,
Your responses have been amazing! Thank you. I am having trouble getting into physical therapy due to worker's comp. issues. Could anyone provide some stretches / exercises that they were given for their issues?
Thank you again!
Everyone,
Your responses have been amazing! Thank you. I am having trouble getting into physical therapy due to worker's comp. issues. Could anyone provide some stretches / exercises that they were given for their issues?
Thank you again!
Well one thing I would look at is your posture at work. Do you sit in front of a computer sort of slouched to the side with your left elbow propped on the chair armrest while you're working the mouse with the right hand? I used to do this until I realized it and corrected it. Take a break from typing and mousing every once in a while.