Forearm pain

[Lise]

Lise, I really have no clue but am wondering if you have your wrists at a funny angle on the Bianchi. Your wrists should be as straight as possible both on the hoods, the tops of the bars and in the drops.

This is specific to each person and may not be caught in an initial fitting, and a tense grip could exacerbate the problem.

I probably do have my wrists at a funny angle. They should be straight as in, lined up straight with my arms? I am sure that my wrists are rotated about 15 degrees out when I'm on the hoods. I put them on top of the bars occasionally for a rest. Tense grip with the hand, and pulling back hard with last two fingers doesn't help. This is something to practice on the bike. On the Larkspur, my wrists are pretty straight, holding onto the tops of the bars. It's a more comfortable grip for me, and I'm less tense. Thanks for that suggestion, SK.

[SadieKate]

I like my levers turned slightly inward to keep my wrists straight side to side on the hoods. Levers may also need to be moved up or down on the bars if you have them bent up or down vertically. This adjustment can be tricky because your bars may need to be moved or just the levers on the bars. Having a good fitter take a look specifically at hands while in the different positions could be worthwhile if you don't get this solved easily.

Of course, we're assuming you're keeping your elbows and shoulder relaxed? Locked elbows will force your wrists inward also.

[yellow]

Y'know, my tennis elbow gets a little aggravated when riding sometimes on really bumpy/rough roads. Probably from gripping the bars harder to maintain control. Channels more of the bumps through the body, I suspect. It's kind of always with me, but never so bad I can't function. I think I've had it for, oh, about 10 years now (started back in my whitewater kayaking days).

It's also aggravated by extended Chuckit sessions with the dog. So that means less Chuckit and more trips to the creek, which she appreciates.

[tulip]

are you bending your elbows? Straight arms put pressure on the joints, including the elbow.

[spokewench]

My husband is prone to tendinitis - all just below the elbow. It never bothers him on the roadbike, but almost always is irritated by the mountain bike.

Are you riding off road, bumpy roads? You have to use your upper body on a mountain bike more if you are offroad and this can cause some tendinitis.

It is hard to tell what is going on when you are talking on the web, go to the doctor have it checked out - then go to a fit expert to try to minimize the problem.

[Lise]

Hey, guys, I tend to keep my arms straight, so that is a problem. It's not off road riding, but Chicago streets can be pretty rough. I assume that the Bianchi absorbs less of the impact than the heavier Larkspur, which I'm used to riding.

Today I've done the arm exercises from Snap and the Stretching book, taken Motrin, iced it for awhile, and worn a compression band for part of the day. It's feeling a lot better. Tomorrow I'll be back on the bike, and I'll notice how I hold the handlebars and my arms. Tuesday I can go in to LBS for a fit check.

Thanks for all the help! L.

[deena]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I was having the exact same problem with forearm pain. I bought a tennis elbow strap and started using it today. Immediate relief!

You guys are the best!

[Lise]

Hey, Deena,

Welcome to TE. Glad to hear the suggestions helped. Another good use for the compression band is to put it over a flexible ice pack, to hold it in place.

I had a brainstorm the other day. I have a hot wax thing for my hands--the kind of thing they use at manicure places. Sometimes my hands get very sore from work, and it feels great to do a hot wax dip. So I turned it on the other day, and dipped my elbow a couple of times, wrapped it in Saran wrap, a towel, and put the compression band around the whole thing. It felt wonderful. Heat is so good sometimes.

Hope your arm stays better. Mine is generally better with the tri-design seat post instead of the road-design post. My elbows are less straight and stiff. Or could it be the 2 naprosyn I took 12 hr ago...?

[snapdragen]

I had a brainstorm the other day. I have a hot wax thing for my hands--the kind of thing they use at manicure places. Sometimes my hands get very sore from work, and it feels great to do a hot wax dip. So I turned it on the other day, and dipped my elbow a couple of times, wrapped it in Saran wrap, a towel, and put the compression band around the whole thing. It felt wonderful. Heat is so good sometimes.

Lise! That is exactly what they did when I was in PT for my forearm! Hot paraffin, plastic, towel and a heating pad on top. It was wonderful! After you do that, try a little self massage too. They would finish off with an ice massage

[Lise]

Heating pad on top--what a great idea. Then ice massage? Like massage the area with an ice cube?

[snapdragen]

Heating pad on top--what a great idea. Then ice massage? Like massage the area with an ice cube?

Yes, they had these nifty holders, about the size of a dixie cup. Here's a couple things I found:

Ice massage

Ice can help decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation that can result from injury and from some conditions such as arthritis. Ice massage is a quick and easy way to get the benefits of ice.

You can use an ice cube, but it's easier to use an "ice cup" for ice massage.

To make an ice cup, fill a small paper or Styrofoam cup about two-thirds full, and freeze it until it is solid.
To use the ice cup, peel off the top of the cup so about 0.5 in. (1.3 cm) of ice is showing. The remaining part of the cup is for you to hold on to.
As the ice melts, it will drip, so put a small towel under the area you are icing.
Rub the ice in small circles all over the affected area. Avoid areas where the bone is close to the skin, such as right over your knee cap, the point of your elbow, or your spine.
If the ice melts down so the cup is touching your skin, peel more of the cup off.
Continue for only 5 to 7 minutes. The area will feel cold at first, then it will ache, then finally become numb. Your skin will be pink and cold when you finish.
You can do an ice massage several times a day if it helps you.

Ice Massage