Tendonitis....rest or work out?

[tracyquilts]

I have a recurring problem with "tennis elbow". I'm 53, and have been rowing competitively since July, 2011.

How do I know when to rest and when to row through it? I'm using ice and ibuprofin. I tried to lift some weights, yesterday, but the pain in front of my elbow made it impossible to do a bicep curl.

Now what??
Thanks!
Tracy in Indiana

[Rumping]

Tough to say really. I'm no expert, but have read several articles on tendonitis (Golf elbow in my case), and have seen the "solution" be rest (up to 18 months), physical therapy, ice, anti inflammatories, massages, an elbow brace or a combination of all of it.

What is the cause of your tennis elbow? Did it start because of rowing, or did something else cause it?

In my case, my golf elbow was caused by bad technique on the erg. I gripped the handle too hard and the result over time is tendonitis. Now I don't grip and put my thumbs on top of the handle instead as I hook the handle with my finger tips. I can carry groceries again and while my elbow is still sensitive, it's been getting better and better over the last few months.

It takes a while to heal, but with the right technique I see no reason to stop rowing (as long as it wasn't caused by rowing).

Edit: I know this is the women's section of the forum and I'm not a woman, but this is more a Health question so I figured I could at least attempt to post a helpful answer.

[tracyquilts]

Thanks for your input. I think my technique on the erg is causing this. It is definitely from rowing. I also had some flare up while sweep rowing on the water, so not sure if it is technique or just weakness in my arms (which then causes the tendons to help out).

Resting and icing.....I think I will focus on strengthening my shoulders, arms, and forearms this spring.

Have a history of frozen shoulders (both at different times), so my upper body strength is very lacking. Still trying to regain range of motion in both shoulders. Exterior rotation is poor.

Tracy

[Rumping]

A main cause of tendonitis is due to gripping the handle. Make sure you keep your thumbs on top of the handle (or not touching the handle at all with your thumbs), and just hook your fingers over the handle (so that only the fingers touch the handle, and only a small part of your palms touch the handle on top only).

I didn't believe it would make a difference at first, but the difference is huge and I noticed my tendonitis no longer increasing and improving after only a few rows like that. It also makes a huge difference in the growth of callouses (as in: No more callouses and blisters).

[tracyquilts]

Thanks, I will try that also!

[bepah]

seems to work for me!

[Bill]

Tracy,

I am currently getting treatment for tennis elbow from a physio who has advised me that the accepted treatment for tendonitis has changed in the last 5 years.

He diagnosed exactly which tendons were involved by holding my hand in a handshake grip and asking me to rotate my wrist whilst digging around with his other hand to find out where it was tender.

He then advised a daily program of eccentric wrist curls using a 2kg wieght, with a 20' row 25spm - not too fast steady 10k pace every 2nd day.

Of course the treatments would be different for different people and different symptoms - the physio advised that there are many variations of tennis elbow.

Interesting that if you google eccentric wrist curls many of the articles refer to tendonitis.

He advised that his understanding of current thinking is that its okay to exercise and have some occasional pain.

[tracyquilts]

Thank you....that is very helpful. My personal trainer also said to strengthen my forearms with gripping exercises and wrist lifting.

He said the the tendons kick in to help when the muscles cannot handle the work load of rowing. The tendons help out....then, tendonitis!

Rowing at indoor water tanks, today, with the team. Have not done sweep rowing since November! Probably work some new tendons....LOL

[TabbRows]

One rule of thumb I apply when my knee stiffens is if it's just sore and doesn't bother me in normal range of movement of routine non-rowing/non-exercise movements,i.e., I don't walk gimpy, I'll do a slow steady warm up starting at 16/17 and easing into 21/22 for 5-10 minutes. No pain, do my row/exercise. End with some dynamic stretches after rowing. Pain during rowing...STOP! If the knee is painful in normal range of non-rowing/non-exercise movements, I don't even get near the erg or OTW.

[carlb]

I have a recurring problem with "tennis elbow". I'm 53, and have been rowing competitively since July, 2011.
How do I know when to rest and when to row through it? I'm using ice and ibuprofin. I tried to lift some weights, yesterday, but the pain in front of my elbow made it impossible to do a bicep curl.

I got Golfer's elbow from rowing due to my adding wrist action at the end of every stroke.

I completely stopped rowing for 3 or 4 months.

I also did some other things suggested on various web pages. Not sure exactly what, I know there was stretching. I recovered completely and corrected by technique so it has not reoccured.

[kayakr]

You might also want to investigate trigger point therapy, foam rollers, etc.
I had some achilles tenditis, until I found a video showing use of a foam roller to work the knots out of the calf, which knocked out the referral pain very quickly. See http://coachdbh.blogspot.com/2007/10/foam-rollers.html

[STC]

Tracy, I wrote extensively about this in my own series of posts. Please read through them. I have quite a bit of experience with this, and think my posts can help you. I think you have to stop doing what you're doing that gives you tendonitis. Then give it a few weeks to a few months and try again. But half measures do nothing to correct the situation. Meds and other stuff only mask the damage you're doing. I feel for you, because I ignored my doctor's input and chose to push through the pain and as a consequence suffered years of serious pain that kept getting worse. Only when I stopped for good did I begin to get better. My doctor told me it also may take as long to get fully better as it did to get hurt. So I expect two more years to pass until I am fully well again. But for many months my life was a living Hell. Just be smart here. Good luck!!!