Elbow

[Júlíus G. Magnússon]

My elbow has been bothering me lately. I think it started with some ugly kipping muscle-ups during a metcon and I think ring dips and low bar back squats continued to bother it.

Any kind of lateral pressure against my forearm bothers it, but "direct" pressure, as in bench pressing, doesn't seem to affect it.

Now, it's not horrible and I could (with small discomfort) train through it. I'm just wondering if it would be wise. If I should rest it until it quits bothering me, if I should ice it, heat it, or what ever?

Any suggestions welcome. I would rather not have this become a big issue in the future...

[Steven Low]

Lateral pressure?

Assume you're in the anatomical position.... where is the pressure coming from?

Any other movements that hurt?

Google pics + mark of where it hurts?

[Júlíus G. Magnússon]

Assuming anatomical position, the pain is is on the medial side of the elbow joint.

By lateral pressure, I mean, any kind of pressure that is perpendicular to the forearm. Meanwhile, pressure that is directly parallel to the forearm does not seem to bother it.

As for movements that hurt, holding the bar in a back squat is uncomfortable, ring dips are very uncomfortable. I didn't notice any pain during shoulder or bench press however. Overhead squats didn't seem to bother it during, but afterwards I was feeling it a little. Catching cleans and holding a heavy barbell in the rack position is also mildly uncomfortable.

[Steven Low]

I would guess some form of overuse or instability coupled with the fact of possibly lack of ROM at the shoulder joint is putting excessive pressure on the elbow.

Rest/ice/massage/etc. + improve shoulder ability would be a good idea.

MUs especially poorly performed ones are tough on the elbows as can be low ring dips and back squat on the elbows with poor shoulder ROM.

[Júlíus G. Magnússon]

Thanks, Steven.

Now that you mention it, I have been noticing reduced flexibility in my shoulders and have started doing some mobility work to combat that - dislocates mostly.

I'll widen the back squat grip and dump weighted dips this week - otherwise I'll see what I can get away with.