tennis elbow from cycling?

[[email protected]]

I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
getting better either. Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's
the cure? I know the standard answer is "rest" but is there a way to
fix it without stopping cycling (ie an adjustment on the bike or a
change in riding position?)
Max

 

[Michael Baldwin]

>Max asks
>
>Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's the
>cure?

I've suffered with tennis elbow for decades. I have to remind myself
to keep my thumbs "up" whenever possible.

Example, when picking up a bucket I always "under hand" it (thumb up)
You may consider some short bar ends for your bike.

Best Regards - Mike Baldwin

 

[John Kane]

On Jan 14, 4:05 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
> roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
> that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
> wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
> getting better either. Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's
> the cure? I know the standard answer is "rest" but is there a way to
> fix it without stopping cycling (ie an adjustment on the bike or a
> change in riding position?)
> Max

Now that you are suffering it, it may be difficult without some time
resting but pehaps bar ends, or even going to drop bars ? Anything
that provides a change of position should help.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

 

[landotter]

On Jan 14, 3:05 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
> roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
> that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
> wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
> getting better either. Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's
> the cure? I know the standard answer is "rest" but is there a way to
> fix it without stopping cycling (ie an adjustment on the bike or a
> change in riding position?)
> Max

Flat bars can be murder on your arms. It's a cheap quick fix.

Trekking bars are readily available from REI as "Safari" handlebars or
from Nashbar for $25. Don't forget to get tape. If you're in Europe
these are already ubiquitous.

Alternately, and even more cheep are a set of Wald #8095
http://www.johndogfood.com/john/CB-1.html

Or if you want modern looking, but a similar sweep, an On-One Mary or
Origin8 space bar.

Nitto also has plenty of bends for that fit your controls, you might
like a "Priest" if you feel like you're reaching a bit now, as it
sweeps back pretty far:

http://bessasandackerman.com/blog/?p=46

 

[Pat]

> I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
> roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
> that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
> wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
> getting better either.

I got tennis elbow once from shoveling snow! Is the brace you're wearing the
narrow strap type that goes on your muscle in front of the elbow? That is to
"shorten the lever arm" by clamping down on the forearm muscles. It helps a
lot, but rest, as you know, is best.

Good luck. It'll take some time.

 

[ZBicyclist]

Pat wrote:
>> I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
>> roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
>> that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
>> wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
>> getting better either.
>
> I got tennis elbow once from shoveling snow! Is the brace you're
> wearing the narrow strap type that goes on your muscle in front of
> the elbow? That is to "shorten the lever arm" by clamping down on the
> forearm muscles. It helps a lot, but rest, as you know, is best.

I hate to do a "me-too" post, but I didn't believe this type of brace could
be helpful until I tried it. It definitely helped me.

--
Mike Kruger
Say not always what you know, but always know what you say.
Claudius; 10 BC-AD 54, Roman Emperor

 

[Tom Sherman]

landotter wrote:
> ...
> Flat bars can be murder on your arms. It's a cheap quick fix....

I find flat bars perfectly comfortable for 8-hour rides, with the right
riding position. With the wrong position, more than about 2 hours causes
extended numbness in one or more fingers.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

 

[[email protected]]

Yes, its one of those braced that goes just below your elbow. My
doctor was a bit sceptical about them but I've definitely found they
help when you just can't avoid using your arm.

 

[[email protected]]

Max who? writes:

> Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's the cure?

Take the tennis balls out of the front wheel and don't mount playing
cards on clothespins on the seatstays of your bicycle.

Jobst Brandt

 

[landotter]

On Jan 15, 3:16 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> Max who? writes:
> > Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's the cure?
>
> Take the tennis balls out of the front wheel and don't mount playing
> cards on clothespins on the seatstays of your bicycle.
>

Hitting the sauce a little early, eh?

 

[Tom Sherman]

landotter wrote:
> On Jan 15, 3:16 pm, [email protected] wrote:
>> Max who? writes:
>>> Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's the cure?
>> Take the tennis balls out of the front wheel and don't mount playing
>> cards on clothespins on the seatstays of your bicycle.
>>
>
> Hitting the sauce a little early, eh?

This is an example of Jobstian humor.

One should not use "eh?" at the end of a sentence, unless one is from
Canuckistan, eh?

--
Tom Sherman - Ex-pat Canuck
"And never forget, life ultimately makes failures of all people."
- A. Derleth

 

[Mike Jacoubowsky]

>> I've been riding a hybrid - averaging about 6 miles a day on urban
>> roads - for about five months (hadn't cycled for a long time before
>> that) and developed tennis elbow a couple of months ago. I've been
>> wearing a brace when cycling and it's not getting worse but not
>> getting better either. Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's
>> the cure? I know the standard answer is "rest" but is there a way to
>> fix it without stopping cycling (ie an adjustment on the bike or a
>> change in riding position?)
>> Max
>
> Now that you are suffering it, it may be difficult without some time
> resting but pehaps bar ends, or even going to drop bars ? Anything
> that provides a change of position should help.
>
> John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

I agree 100% that drop bars are worth trying. There are some people out
there (myself included) who just can't get a comfortable position on flat
bars, regardless of weird bend. Believe me, I've tried. Drives me up the
wall as it keeps me from feeling relaxed off-road.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

 

[ilaboo]

> getting better either. Could cycling be the cause and, if so, what's
> the cure?

could be--any medical problems?

repetative strain injury usually responds to change in positions, rest, ice
and antinflamatory drugs such as mortim and naprosin

i suggest decrease your activity ( i know its hard) have a orthopedic
surgeon take a look at you

ice it down after riding and dont push your riding --far better to ride a
short distance than none at all

i have a similar problem--appropriate imaging was done, did my exercise
religiously, took motrim before activity and religiously iced it down after
activity

remember that this is an anatomical physical problem
hth
peter

 

[Andrew Price]

On Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:49:35 -0600, Tom Sherman
<[email protected]> wrote:

>One should not use "eh?" at the end of a sentence, unless one is from
>Canuckistan, eh?

Canuckistan is not the only English-speaking country where that usage
is common - I'd say it's found in most of them.

 

[Pat]

>>One should not use "eh?" at the end of a sentence, unless one is from
>>Canuckistan, eh?
>
> Canuckistan is not the only English-speaking country where that usage
> is common - I'd say it's found in most of them.

Indeed? Can you give examples?

 

[Zoot Katz]

On Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:24:31 -0600, "Pat" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>>>One should not use "eh?" at the end of a sentence, unless one is from
>>>Canuckistan, eh?
>>
>> Canuckistan is not the only English-speaking country where that usage
>> is common - I'd say it's found in most of them.
>
>Indeed? Can you give examples?
>

<http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/eh>

"eh

Used as a tag question, to emphasise what goes before or to request
that the listener confirm or agree with what has been said.
These hot dogs are pretty good, eh?
Used to mean What?.

Usage notes
This term is stereotypically associated with Canada. Some uses of it
outside of Canada can convey that you are trying to sound
(sarcastically) Canadian. However, it is in wide use in many other
parts of the world, including the northern United States, Australia,
New Zealand, England, Scotland, and South Africa"

It also appears to be used in Lebanon, Egypt, Japan Syria and Sweeden
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eh>
--
zk

 

[barry taylor]

: Usage notes
: This term is stereotypically associated with Canada. Some uses of it
: outside of Canada can convey that you are trying to sound
: (sarcastically) Canadian. However, it is in wide use in many other
: parts of the world, including the northern United States, Australia,
: New Zealand, England, Scotland, and South Africa"

particularly in Queensland - often in conjunction with 'but' and/or
'well'


--

---

a friendly growl from the bear on the Zephyr that roars

__ __ __ _ __
/__/ / /__/ /_ /_\ /_ /
/_ / _ / /__/ /__ / \ / \ ....Kawasaki Zephyr

barry j taylor < [email protected] >
Ulysses #25871: netrider #549
Skype: ursus_australis



~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*) . . . bjbear on his treadly





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[smn]

to the OP
are you riding with locked elbows? seat should be far enough forward so
that arms are relaxed and bent. Back straight and low to the top bar.
I ride a MTB most of the time. summer is for the Trek 1500 and long
distance so I have the same dislike of straight handle bars
also try to distribute your weight more to your rear end to lighten the arm
load. I use to grip the handle bars for power but I want to put all the
exercise into my legs so I just use them for steering. feels wierd at first
but I do not think about it anymore. Just figured it was a kid thing. I
still pull on them during a hill though. Just dangle that arm if you have
too to get the pressure off it. use it for balance and thats it
Keep changing hand position too. Exercise and stretch your arms, wrist and
neck while on the ride or at stops.

one of those suggestions is going to help I am sure

 

[Pat]

>
> Usage notes
> This term is stereotypically associated with Canada. Some uses of it
> outside of Canada can convey that you are trying to sound
> (sarcastically) Canadian. However, it is in wide use in many other
> parts of the world, including the northern United States, Australia,
> New Zealand, England, Scotland, and South Africa"
> zk

I have lived in Oklahoma, Maryland, Colorado, and Texas. Nobody in those 4
states says "eh" at the end of a word. The only place in the US I have heard
of something like that was in Maine.

Pat in TX

 

[Claire Petersky]

"Pat" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> I have lived in Oklahoma, Maryland, Colorado, and Texas. Nobody in those 4
> states says "eh" at the end of a word. The only place in the US I have
> heard of something like that was in Maine.


I hear "eh" here a fair bit, and I use it myself from time to time. Might be
a Canada proximity thing, seeing how that's our Washington State and your
experience in Maine.

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky