Question - Elbow Pain

by Rod
(Canada)

I have begun weight training in the gym. Last month I felt a discomfort in my right elbow. Specifically on the inside, right at the joint. I think it is a tendon problem. It is tender to touch with no visible swelling. I am still able to weight train at the gym with one exeption. I can't do bicep curls.

I have attempted to reduce the weight but the pain is too severe. I have rested but I am getting impatient as it is tough to weight train without doing curls. I'm able to do all other exercises in my routine with much less pain.

Your guidance will be appreciated.

Thanks

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Question - Elbow Pain

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Jan 08, 2008
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More Information...
by: Bart - SII

First off, if you are having significant pain, I strongly recommend you see your physician and get your elbow checked out. It sounds like it could possibly be a joint sprain, or a ligament sprain...maybe a tendon injury. In the meantime, if you can provide a little more information, we may be able to narrow it down and figure out what it might be.

Do you remember any specific instance when it hurt...ie. you twisted it, or lifted too much weight, etc - or did it just start gradually?

Does it hurt more when you curl up, or when you lower the weight?

Do you have pain with any activities other than weight training?

Does it seem to pop, catch, or give out on you?

Is the area that is painful to the touch right over the bone, or in the soft tissue?

If you can comment back with a little more information, we can probably narrow down the possibilities...but I still strongly recommend seeing your physician.

Bart

Jan 08, 2008
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elbow pain - Bart's questions
by: Rod

Bart thanks for the feedback, I'm not sure if this is how to answer but here goes:

- I don't recall any specific injury. It began being painfull and progressively got to the point I couldn't tolerate the pain when curling.
- The pain is worst when curling up - the release is not an issue.
- I have had pain when I have grasped something (coffee maker) to move it when using both hands to pick it up.
- no pops or catching or the like
- yes it is painful right over the bone to the touch
thanks again

Jan 08, 2008
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One of two things...
by: Bart - SII

From what you describe, it sounds like it could be either tendonitis or possibly an Ulnar Collateral Ligament sprain.
The gradual onset makes me lean towards tendonitis or a muscle strain, but the fact that you don't have pain with the release on the curls seems odd.

UCL sprains usually don't occur with gradual onset, but it is possible that you have some looseness in the ligament and this small amount of instability is causing your pain when you are curling up.

These are all just estimations though, based on what limited information I have and no clinical exam.

I would recommend getting it checked out by a physician. With either condition, there are things that can be done to help with your pain and to speed recovery. And both have potential to worsen if left untreated.

Hope this helps...