edgar_rhode

ok - so that's the fancy term for tendonitus / tennis elbow. but i don't play tennis - i bike.

for about the past month the front muscles on my right forearm just below elbow have been very sore ( bordering on painful ) and i cannot lift anything over a pound or so without my elbow letting me know about it. my GP has recommended i wear an elbow brace, consume motrim and rest it as much as possible. which i have followed as religiously as possible.

i do pilates - but they have been very careful to ease off arm and shoulder routines. no weight bearing stuff.

i have a flat bar road bike. i did my first century and have a little over 1100 miles on it this year. i honestly probably lean into my arms too much. i had some numbness in my right palm after the century - nothing too major - just the usual ulnar / pinkie and ring finger thing.

this is bugging me because i'm concerned with riding in any form. it's supposed to in the mid 50's today and i'd love to get in a 20 - 30 mile ride but i don't want to aggravate it. likewise with getting on the trainer.

my GP is starting me on a six week (3 times a week ) physical therapy routine and then she'll talk to me about cortizone or surgery ( ! ) so...

- anybody else experience anything like this?

- any recommendations?

- any thoughts on sitting on the trainer and just pedaling without using the handlebars?

appreciate all comments - i might also cross post this on several other forums.

Soonerinfrisco

I had a rip-roaring case of tennis elbow last year. It is surprising at how much it limits some activities. I got a brace and used it until the pain subsided. It took a couple of months for it to heal but I am fine now. The brace really helped me, FWIW. In retrospect, if the injection provides immediate relief I might consider it if it happens again.

Air

It sounds like your handlebars may be too low. I'd get that along with bad wrist pains while trying to find the right fit this year. I'm getting there - but when I raised them up a few inches and adjusted my seat I was amazed at how much better I feel. Just did 30 miles yesterday and it was the first time I didn't have to stop to rest my wrists on that ride. You may be locking your wrists a bit to compensate and now your elbow/forearm is taking the brunt of the vibrations.

Also - try a different style that gives you multiple hand positions (touring bars or drops) that will give you more positions to play with. Pain also comes from repetitive motion and if you just have flat bars you're not giving your arms/wrists any breaks in the stresses you're putting on them.

Braces are great too - use them when you go to bed too.

Tom Stormcrowe

Particularly Trekking bars, since it appears that running with the flats, you prefer the more upright riding position.

edgar_rhode

air and tom - thanks. i just got done asking about straights versus drops in the 50+ forum. guess i shoulda checked in this forum first. i am wearing a forearm brace and i just bought a wrist brace this afternoon.

i don't know which was more painful today - my forearm or the sight of a few riders taking advantage of the definately non december like weather. i wanted to be out there.

but i'm a realist. i understand i can make this worse if its not handled properly so i'll talk to my physical therapist and check into drops or touring bars for next season.

appreciate the advice

geo8rge

"- any thoughts on sitting on the trainer and just pedaling without using the handlebars?"

Try a Recumbent.

Unicycle? If that was that a stupid suggestion, I won't bring it up again.

Air

You could take an easy ride but don't use your right hand.

e0richt

you could always put some "aero bars" on and try that, if you don't have pain resting on your elbows...