Training & Nutrition - Elbow Pain

Lately my right elbow has been aching. It seems worse in the morning before any riding or later in the day about 10 miles into a ride. The pain is at its worst when my arm is completely straight.

It's a sharp pain near but not at the bone on the inside rear portion of the elbow. Ben Gay helps somewhat but not entirely.

Anybody else experience anything like this? I'm not sure if the cycling is the cause or not, or if it's agravating the situation or not. I'm closing in on my first 4,000 mile year ever and reaching that milestone will hinge upon this elbow thing and the Houston weather.

I'm thinking it may be tendonitis, but I have never had anything like this before.

Any thoughts on what this might be?

Hmmm... I ride well over 4,000 miles per annum and I've never experienced anything like this. How about your riding position? I like to have my elbows slightly bent when I ride so that they can better absorb shocks from bumps in the road. If it is cycling related, I would suggest that your position is the most likely cause.

I have similar pain in my left elbow, but I attribute it primarily to repetitive stress injury from restraining dogs. However, I do notice it more on my Hardrock than on my Terry, I think because of the wider handlebar. If I move my grip inboard, it goes away.

Your problem could be CAUSED by riding with your arms straight, especially if you put weight on your hands. (Your right arm may be slightly longer-gets more stress- shows earlier symptoms)
Your elbows should ALWAYS be bent, so the road shocks won't go up your arms.
Your body weight should be supported by your trunk muscles, NOT your hands, ONLY the weight of your forearms should be on the bars. Yes, it's OK to put some weight on your hands ocasionally. ( If you're trying to go fast, you should be pulling on your bars, for more power)
If you slide forward on your saddle when you're not pushing back with your hands, adjust it!
Your saddle should be LEVEL or slightly nose HIGH, if you can't ride it like this- LEARN HOW! ( You may need to lower the saddle slightly to do it, having to ride a saddle "nose low" to be comfortable is often a symptom of "too High" saddle height)
Every coach I've had or read gives the same advice, and I'm very glad I took it.

Or, you may need to change hands


Ride Relaxed
Pat

Thanks for the input Pat. I try very hard to keep elbows bent. My kids gave me a new saddle for Christmas and I was able to replace the excruciating one that came on the Hardrock. I was quite surprised at how much the depth of the old saddle interferred with proper positioning. Not only is the saddle more comfortable, but the elbow and wrist pain problem seems to be reduced.

Jean,
If your arm pain comes only when you have the wide grip on the "hardrock", cut off the ends of the bars a bit. ( Your arms should be parallel or fairly close to it)

Ride Comfy
Pat

I have the same pain in my right elbow and I'm sure it's from shifting (My bike has the old-style center-post shifters). I'm trying to learn to shift with both arms… so I can SHARE the pain with the left elbow :).

Ray C

Interesting .... I've been experiencing a lot of pain in my right elbow the last few days too, but I know it can't have anything to do with cycling because I haven't been cycling.

In my case, it hurts a little bit when my arm is straight, but especially when I go to pick anything up.

It feels like I hit it against something, but I have no recollection of doing that, nor is it bruised or swollen. Very odd.