Elbow Injury
(Extracted from Aikido-L)

Date:    Sun, 19 May 2002 00:19:43 +0000
From:    Eve Peters-Campbell
Subject: Elbow Injury

I don't know if I want to call it an injury exactly, because I didn't DO anything to it!  I was driving along, not even turning, and suddenly got a very sharp stabbing pain from the back about three inches above the elbow through to inside side just above the knob on the inside side of the elbow. It's been bothering me off and on ever since.  Things that make it hurt include, sometimes typing, writing by hand when my arm is not resting on a surface, reaching down while moving the hand- scratching my leg for example (if I'm standing up and my arm is extended down and I attempt to scratch my outer thigh on that side it hurts a lot.)  It's a very sharp, very intense pain.

Any ideas on what it is, and, more importanly, how to make it go away and leave me alone?  Any information appreciated.

Thanks a lot,
Eve
(And this WOULD be right when I found otu I couldn't make it to the upper body trigger point seminar.  Blah.  Though I did try trigger points and if
its related to that I didn't find the right one.)

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Date:    Sun, 19 May 2002 07:51:42 -0500
From:    Peter Claussen
Subject: Re: Elbow Injury

On Saturday, May 18, 2002, at 07:19  PM, Eve Peters-Campbell wrote:

> I don't know if I want to call it an injury exactly, because I didn't DO
> anything to it!  I was driving along, not even turning, and suddenly
> got a
> very sharp stabbing pain from the back about three inches above the
> elbow
> through to inside side just above the knob on the inside side of the
> elbow.
> It's been bothering me off and on ever since.

Sounds like you've irritated or pinched your ulnar nerve.

> Things that make it hurt
> include, sometimes typing, writing by hand when my arm is not resting
> on a
> surface,...

Do you type or write by hand frequently? If so, this may be a repetitive stress disorder not unlike carpal tunnel syndrome. Look at your workplace to see if your ergonomics cause you to put excess stress on the elbow. For example, perhaps you type a lot without forearm or wrist support - this may be putting a strain on the elbow. There are also desk and chair extensions that provide a resting place for the elbow while you move your mouse.

Maybe I'm making the wrong assumptions; are you a professional baseball pitcher? Do you bowl? Fastpitch softball?

>
> Any ideas on what it is, and, more importanly, how to make it go away
> and
> leave me alone?  Any information appreciated.

Best advice may be to see an occupational therapist, but barring that ice may help reduce inflammation and reduce irritation of the ulnar nerve, if that's truly the source of the pain.

Peter Claussen

Last updated on 15 Sep 2002