Sore elbow/wrist

[nzric]

Can anyone help me with a problem...

I've been getting into weight training and doing lots of free weights, but I think I have hurt my left elbow. It feels like a nerve pain and it only comes up when I'm doing weights. Especially on the bench press and dumbell exercises (raising the dumbell above my head) there's a dull ache and my arm often suddenly goes very weak.

Also, when I do taiji push hands (which involves the arm in a circle at chest height, wrist on centre line, slightly higher than elbow - you keep your arm steady but receive pressure on the back of the wrist then turn your hand over and press against the other person's wrist), I have a constant clicking in my left wrist. It doesn't hurt but it just clicks whenever I turn my wrist.

Any ideas?

[bcullen]

Sounds like it could be lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) if its on the side away from your body. Medial epicondylitis (sometimes called golfers elbow) on the inside. Another condition that can be present with or be misdiagnosed as tennis elbow is radial tunnel syndrome (posterior interosseous nerve syndrome) involves compression of a branch of the radial nerve. This condition may cause elbow pain and weakness of the wrist or fingers, especially the fifth (little) finger. Unlike other nerve problems affecting the hand, radial tunnel syndrome does not cause a loss of sensation, such as numbness or tingling.

Either way I'd get that looked at since it could involve (extensor)tendon injury. Tendons and ligaments are the slowest to heal. It's a major training setback if you blow out a tendon.

If the doctor jumps right to using corticosteroids; rather then a rest and rehabilitation solution, get a second opinion.

[Reiki]

Get it looked at. Sounds like something has been damaged and you need a professional opinion before you can decide treatment.

Tennis elbow takes forever to heal too...I've had it and I've never played tennis in my life!

As to the wrist problem, I hope u havent kinked or damaged a tendon or cartilage.

My physio was working on my L wrist for weeks, it is still sore when I am doing pressups or anything where the wrist has to bend at 90 degrees either way. [ie Tensho kata]

[nzric]

Great - thanks for the advice!