Ouch !!!

[40427]

Need help to keep riding !

For the last three months my left arm at the elbow has been getting progressively more painful. I can no longer bend my arm or fully extend it.
Talked to my Dr. he says it's a tennis elbow type thing and some arthritis issues.
It's at the point now where i can hardly pull in the clutch without a lot of discomfort.

I have tried ice, heat, massage, an elbow wrap/support, over the counter naproxen and ibuprofen. They all give some limited relief, but I cannot go out and ride now.

Tried a 50 mile sanity loop last week, before i got home i could hardly pull in the clutch.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this ??

I have been considering selling the BMW and buying a Maxi scooter.
Thanks, Doug

 

[flyrider]

What model are you riding? How long have you ridden it? Before selling bike, look carefully at ALL your activities in the past 3-4 months. Sometimes the cause is not obvious, but it is detectable. Tennis elbow is rough and hard to get rid of, but ice, ice and more ice on it, several times a day for 20 minutes. Put crushed ice in a baggie, then put that in another baggie to avoid leaks, then wrap a light bandanna or something around it for comfort and apply to the site of pain. And see another doctor, just to get another perspective.

My two cents, as a former sufferer of same...

 

[hexkopf]

I feel your pain...literally. I suffer from tendonitis in my left elbow. Aside from cortisone injections, the only thing I found that works for me is a device like this:

http://www.muellersportsmed.com/Hg80_Elbow_Tennis_Brace.htm

 

[40427]

What model are you riding? How long have you ridden it? Before selling bike, look carefully at ALL your activities in the past 3-4 months. Sometimes the cause is not obvious, but it is detectable. Tennis elbow is rough and hard to get rid of, but ice, ice and more ice on it, several times a day for 20 minutes. Put crushed ice in a baggie, then put that in another baggie to avoid leaks, then wrap a light bandanna or something around it for comfort and apply to the site of pain. And see another doctor, just to get another perspective.

My two cents, as a former sufferer of same...

I ride an Airhead, had this one a bit over a year now. As for activities, nothing different in my usual routine jumps out at me when i think back.

I started the ice yesterday and it gave me the best relief so far,
will keep it up.

 

[40427]

I feel your pain...literally. I suffer from tendonitis in my left elbow. Aside from cortisone injections, the only thing I found that works for me is a device like this:

http://www.muellersportsmed.com/Hg80_Elbow_Tennis_Brace.htm

I am dead set against cortisone injections, bad stuff !!

I might try one of those style braces , the ones i have so far are not working.

 

[hexkopf]

I am dead set against cortisone injections, bad stuff !!

I might try one of those style braces , the ones i have so far are not working.

Yeah the injections don't last either.

 

[lkchris]

I ride an Airhead ...

Well, BMW changed a lot of stuff for 1981 models and significantly reduced clutch pull required.

For the pre-'81s (which I refer to as farm equipment) you can find a pully system that will reduce clutch effort (and lever travel, too.) That is you used to be able to--not much left for 30-year old bikes in the aftermarket.

The action of the '81-on Airheads is pretty similar to most later BMWs, including those with hydraulic clutch actuation.

 

[amiles]

I think that this is what Kent is speaking of:


http://www.benchmarkworks.com/articles/howto/clutch.html

 

[40427]

Mine is a 1985 R80 , about as light a clutch pull as i have ever felt.

Stopped at the pharmacy and bought one of those small compression bands, as suggested.
Feels a lot better already.

Thanks a bunch guys

 

[akbeemer]

I am dead set against cortisone injections, bad stuff !!

I might try one of those style braces , the ones i have so far are not working.

I've used the brace and relief was instantaneous.

Why so anti cortisone? While all medications have risks cortisone is relatively safe if used correctly and not abused. I had an injection in my spine a few years back for nerve issues. Was supposed to be the first of three, but one injection solved the problem.

 

[hexkopf]

Great to hear!

Also might want to look into performing some "cross fiber friction massage" on the affected tendon. My physical therapist showed me how to do it a couple of years back and it works. It hurts, but it helps.

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[40427]

I've used the brace and relief was instantaneous.

Why so anti cortisone? While all medications have risks cortisone is relatively safe if used correctly and not abused. I had an injection in my spine a few years back for nerve issues. Was supposed to be the first of three, but one injection solved the problem.

You must be the exception if one injection worked. Folks i know who have had them never said they got much relief. Plus, I am not a big fan of anything being injected in to me unless it is absolutely needed.

I had to start B-12 shots every month a year ago due to the side effects of the Celiac medicine i take. Sometimes i feel like a Dr. Frankenstein experiment

 

[miairhead]

Ice Bath

You can Google how to do that, I know a guy who races bicycles and he uses this technique all the time to keep riding.

http://www.tendonitisexpert.com/why-only-5-to-10-second-ice-baths-for-tennis-elbow.html
Above recommends to repeat after a short 10 second emerson.

 

[Woodbutcher]

I started to get tennis elbow when I switched from four finger clutching to two finger. Holding the clutch in while in traffic caused me pain. It isn't what caused it though, but it used the injured area. The brace mentioned was immediate relief. I also did Aleve (naproxin), which helped. What finally got me back to normal was stretching. Not really hard, but several times a day. And it was stretching at my wrist. By bending my wrist and twisting my forearm. I repeat, not really hard, just enough that I felt it start to pull in the sore area on my elbow. After a week or so of that I added in some light weights, little lady's size dumbbells. Like only 2 pounds. Did wrist curls with palm up and repeat with palm down. Got back to 80 percent in a little over a month and held at that level for quite a while. It is well over a year now and I seldom feel it.

It is a reaching and stretching sort of injury so that is what you want to avoid. I found that reaching into the fridge and grabbing a full gallon of milk was very bad. I could carry a couple of bags of groceries fine, but it hurt to lift and set them on the table.

So, avoid those motions, brace, anti-inflammatories, stretch and exercise. And time. In theory the clutch motion won't make it worse, but will hurt. The brace will help a lot and I was able to ride with almost no pain with the brace.

Oh, and my brace had a pillow section that put extra pressure on the injured area. It worked much better with that pillow in place than without.

 

[arthurdent]

Ducking from flying objects:

Got to say that the Chiropractor I visited here did marvelous things for a shoulder/elbow issue I had for some time. Manipulation was all it took and all pieces feel totally relieved of pain and tenderness. YMMV and not all chiros work this way. If you're interested and in Central Nebraska I can PM with his contact info.

 

[40427]

Thanks , but i am in NC.

I have seen Chiro's over the years for low back issues, never considered one for an elbow problem.

 

[WalterK75]

I had a similar problem for a couple of years. I finally stopped stiff arming the handlebars and the pain went away. It was an unconscious thing, but after making myself relax a bit more on the bike this solved the elbow problem. It can occur with shifting and braking when a person tenses up and braces themselves.

It might also help to preload the gear shift and when you shift just barely pull the clutch to release pressure so it shifts. It isn't necessary to do a fully pull the clutch back to the hand grip. This will help reduce the tension on the elbow.

 

[arthurdent]

Thanks , but i am in NC.

I have seen Chiro's over the years for low back issues, never considered one for an elbow problem.

pinched nerves are pinched nerves. Getting them unpinched makes a world of difference.

 

[BMWEB]

I was plagued by this for years. I had shots and they were effective short term. I couldn't hang up a telephone without just about screaming in pain. It went away and returned a few times a year.
le
My ex wife had a personal trainer that was also a massage therapist for sports related injuries. He told me several times that he could permanently fix the problem within 4 treatments. I thought that he was full of crap, but it hurt so much I elected to try it anyway.

After the first session, I looked like I had been worked over with a ball pien hammer. He worked my shoulder chest and down the affected arm. I was bruised like I'd been beat up. The pain was worse than ever for about 4 or 5 days. I could barely stand the second session a week later. When I went back for the third session a week after that, he asked how I was doing. Other that a little residual soreness, I was unbelievably, better than I'd been in ages.

Long story short, there was no 4th session. That was about 10 years ago, and I haven't had a single twinge since. To me, that was the most unbelievable experience I have ever had. Years of pain, lots of shots, different doctors, and 3 sessions with a massage therapist, and completely healed. All I can say is that I thought it was total BS until it worked for me. I have spoken to several others since that have had similar experiences. I'd just suggest you check it out. You have nothing to lose but the pain.

 

[layton]

I work for the post office and we have that injury rampant among workers. Repetive motion injuries are very painful. I had it in both elbows and transfered to a different craft. I also skydive. when I jump a lot and pack a lot the next day the tendonitis rears it's ugly head. I am a building mechanic so what I do when I use hand tools is to open palm when I'm loosening and tightning bolts. What I was told is it's the gripping that does the damage. It's also called carpenters elbow. Ice and more Ice. I have seen people with scars all the way around their elbow but if they keep doing the same repetitive motions it returns. I feel for ya because I've been there. I just be real careful with what I do with my hands....Good luck...