Surfing Elbow?

[everycoast]

hey guys I came here a few weeks ago in search of information about a re-occuring elbow pain I've had for the last year or so while surfing. I couldn't figure it out as it didn't hurt climbing or doing any of the other strenuous work I'm usually engaged in. I decided to disect my stroke and pop-up and I realized that I was favoring my over developed shoulders and over my under developed chest by winging my elbows out on my pop-up and on my stroke to a lesser degree (and duck-dive, etc.) over the course of a 3-4 hr session the muscles can't take the torsional twist and all the stress goes in the joint. I've been tucking my elbows in and although it feels strange and a little weak (I've been doing it the other way for over 18 years) I can now finish a session without that teeth grinding twinge in the back of my elbow. My suggestion: let it heal-up for a couple days/week and then get in the water on a small day and really take a look at every movement and transition your making - you just might get as lucky as I did! Good luck - Good Waves.

[surferweller]

The last post, regarding taking a look at ducking and popping technique is great advice, and anyone suffering from surfers elbow should seriously think about their styles.
As an occcasional sufferer of surfer elbow i shall take a good look at my technique.
I just wanted to add a little something.
Our joints take a pounding all the time, for us surfers its normally shoulders, lower back and elbows.
Inflammation of these joints seems like par for the course, but really shouldn´t be considered this way.
I hope I can explain this well.
After a long chat with my chiropractor, he explained to me that, every time a joint becomes inflamed, the body reacts, and charges in to reduce the inflammation with our own bodily chemicals, and scoop away damaged tissue. The only problem, is that every time this happens, we scoop away a tiny bit of good tissue which is never replaced, so eventually the joints get a looser and looser, until it becomes very easy to develop inflammation.
In short, tackle the cause of your joint pain before it gets really bad. We all want to surf into old age hey!!!!!

[esonscar]

Rest up, use heat pads and drink beer !!!!!

[Z mann R2]

I also have an elbow problem that has popped up this last week. It's a major pain that has developed and felt on the INSIDE of my left elbow. I notice it much more when paddling and without some ibuprofen I can't go out at all. I've tried to evaluate my paddle but I'm not sure what I can do about it??

[sandman]

I have had tendonitis in my elbow for the past year and I am totally positive it is from duck diving and not popping up. On big days I am duck diving for my life and when I get out of the water the elbow is on fire.
Its a real problem and has not healed in over 6 months. i guess I'll have to get out of the water for a couple of months. Ugh! Best of luck.

[surf patrol]

I know it's an oldie, but Ryan has just done a new article on the causes of surfers elbow.
He'll be following up with a couple of other articles on prevention, and if I remember I'll update this topic again.