arm pain, sports injuries
 

Curious if anyone has encountered this:

I am an avid "crossfitter" and weight lifter. I wouldn't think that I have weak ligaments or tendons.

Twice now in about 3 years I have experienced pretty profound, although temporary, pain on the interior of my elbow joint, where the bicep meets the forearm, generally where one would give an arm IV. It feels like a dull ache and throbs after vigorous activity. I developed it for about a week during a combatives certification and it went away with R.I.C.E. I brought it on again yesterday by some vigorous rope climbing and exacerbated it by playing football. It doesn't last long after activity but it interrupts my training regime during it and is bothersome.

My question is more for my education. Is this brought on by muscular, tendon, or ligament issues? Is it micro tears leading to strain? Lack of stretching/flexibility?

Most importantly, if anyone is familiar with this, are there some things I can do to strengthen this weak link and prevent recurrence?

I'd appreciate any input.

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Not an orthopedics, chiropractor, or physical therapist here, so take it FWIW

I've had the same problem from rock climbing. In a nutshell, if the pain is on the interior aspect, it's tendonitis. If it's on the area used to smash someone's face, it's ligamentitis. Cause? Well, I finally had to admit climbing 4 days a week for 3 hours each is just not smart. So, I would suggest adequate rest and pacing.

Yes. :)

Could be one of several things. However, from the way you describe it, it is most likely an overuse injury (tendinitis) from repetitive motion. Sounds like you've got some inflammation in the tendon that needs to be quieted down with RICE, as you're doing. In cases like this, we usually recommend that you avoid steroid shots (can weaken the tendon), use an oral NSAID such as ibuprofen 400 to 800 mg three times per day with food, relative rest of the muscle involved, ice massge/cold compress, etc... Deep massage may help as well, though can be a bit painful.

This is a very common thing as you get older. :lifter

Options for prevention are post-exercise stretching and massage, strengthening opposing muscle groups (triceps in this case), limiting repetitve motion under strain, ice baths of affected part, etc...

If it recurs frequently or doesn't go away, see a doctor. If it recurs, you may need to lay off whatever it is that you are doing to exacerbate it for a month or two.

PT and/or Chiropracic may help in certain difficult cases. PTs can utilize modalities like iontophoresis (pushing steroids through the skin with electric current), etc....