Kiter's Elbow

[yojimbo]

A couple of month's ago got kiter's elbow from learning how to tack on my surfboard. It's from doing a pull up motion while moving the kite overhead so as to keep your body floating above the board while you do the transition.

I tried everything to resolve the pain. First I tried the thingies in the first picture, which involves massaging the affected area. That didn't work.

Then I tried that thing in the second picture, which puts pressure at the affected area, as well as getting a cortisone shot. That worked for a couple of days, and then it got worse.

Meanwhile time was going by, and nothing was working. Fortunately it hasn't been windy where I kite. I was becoming despondent. Then my wife turned me on to this concept, immobilize the wrist, see picture #3.

It's all about the wrist, if you can keep your wrist in a neutral position, you allow the tendons in your elbow that are damaged to recuperate. I work with my hands all day, and have been wearing the wrist brace for several days, and the pain and throbbing have gone away. This is a good sign. There is a splint on the palm side that keeps the hand from bending inwards.

[windstoked]

I'm so relieved to see another name besides "Tennis Elbow" ascribed to this condition. I don't feel quite as much of a wimp now.
When you rip a one-handed loop and barely salvage the landing and it yanks you so hard you feel it on the outer side of your elbow, that's Kiter's Elbow.

[peta]

Yep, I know that condition. It crept up on me last winter in Baja and I feared my season there would be toast. I went online and found some exercises which really helped and basically almost made it disappear for me despite continued regular kiting. These exercises are as follows:
- with your good hand push up the hand on your bad arm so the hand creates a right angle to the forearm. Hold that " stretch" position for awhile and repeat.
- do the same but push your hand down again to approx. a right angle and hold.
- start with your open hand; take the thumb and touch the index finger then open up again and touch the middle finger, then the ring finger and finally the pinky, repeat between 7 or 10 times whenever you feel like doing this exercise.

After reading that there was basically nothing than rest to heal it I was soo glad I came upon that advise and it really solved and released the pain and tension for me.

Good luck and I hope it works for you too.

[ozreiuosn]

When I'm getting back into the groove of a new season I'll sort of get this and what I describe as 'restless arm syndrome' kind of thing, with a dash of pain in the arm joint. I can't go to sleep unless I'm on my back and stretching my shoulders back. and arms straight, down my side.

I've already got a little extra wear and tear on my elbows (mostly the left one) from playing trombone for 17+ years. Awkwardly holding a heavy oversized brass instrument with tiny hands constantly has resulted in pinched nerves and shooting pain occasionally anytime I lift or lower my horn to my face.

I fully expect kiting to exacerbate any degradation my joints are already suffering from, so exercises like this from the community are super appreciated and bookmarked.

Thanks for sharing!