arterture

My girlfriend started riding with me not too long ago, and lately she's been complaining about her right elbow being sore after riding for only a couple minutes. I looked at her fit and nothing seems to be terribly off. She did say that it hurts on the outside of the joint. Do you think it could be some sort of nerve compression starting at her hand? She doesn't wear gloves and I wonder if a padded glove would help relieve pressure and maybe take the pain away. I have a hard time believing that it would be her actual joint. Has anyone else had this problem?

Machka 

1) Is her bicycle the right size for her? Is she reaching for the handlebars?

2) Has her bicycle been set up correctly for her?

3) Are her elbows bent when she rides?

If the bicycle is the right size, and has been set up correctly, she should be able to comfortably bend her elbows which might relieve her elbow pain.

But if she has to reach for the handlebars because the bicycle is too big, or not set up correctly, and is forced to lock her elbows ... or if she just locks her elbows out of habit ... she will have elbow pain.

And ... the gloves may help, but I'd look at size and setup first.

arterture

She's very petite and rides a 650c with I think 48cm frame or something like that. I tried riding next to her today to see if anything looked off about her fit, and it did look like she may have been stretching a bit too much. However, when I asked her if she felt like her reach was too far she said no. I had even moved her seat forward just a tad in the past for her to try but she said it was uncomfortable. It might just have to get her on the trainer again and try some different combinations. I just find it odd that it's only one elbow that hurts.

deanp

She likely has tennis elbow. I developed it after starting to ride, and I don't play tennis. One other symptom is a loss of grip strength. I would notice if I tried to grab something that was large and required me to have my hand very open to hold it, it didn't have to be heavy, and there be discomfort. If she thinks it might be this you can get one of those forearm bands to offer support. The problem starts in the wrist when you ride with wrist extended, it stretches the tendon and can cause problems for some people. You can ice it after rides also.

Raleigh71

Sure sounds like lateral epicondylitis ("tennis elbow"). See a sports-medicine doc. Lots of simple treatments should help.

Biker-dude MD

arterture

Huh, Tennis Elbow. Never would have thought of that. I guess we will have to do some research and see if that might be it. I think I might try and play with her fit a little bit more just to make sure though. Thanks for the info.

Actually one more question for those who think it is tennis elbow. Does the pain tend to linger for a few days when you have tennis elbow? It does for her.

deanp

The pain will remain until until the problem is fixed. Depending on much she rides it can last a long time.

arterture

Well, I mean after a 20 mile ride her elbow would hurt for a few days after that without even getting on the bike again. Maybe that's what you meant anyway.

deanp

Once irritated the flare ups come back more easily the next time.

arterture

Alright thanks. Like I said, we will have to look into more. Kind of stinks if thats the case. It's always something with her. jeeeeeez!