Throwers elbow

[wez]

This is a link to an old article specifically about Javelin throwers elbow. You can get the summary from there and might be able to download the full pdf version too. If not send me a PM

www.jbjs.org.uk/cgi/content/abstract/42-B/4/788

Basically what it says is javelin throwers elbow is caused by 'round arming' * and poor technique in novice to intermediate throwers. It is caused by strains in the medial ligament on the inside of the elbow which re-occur due to repetition and of course especially repetition of poor technique. It can be improved by regular stretching of the elbow ligaments and a thorough warmup of the area prior to use. In addition strengthening of the muscles in the forearm can also help to prevent the symptoms.

* 'round arming' refers to throwing with the elbow out to the side of the shoulder and most critically initiating the throw with the elbow instead of the shoulder joint

It goes further to say that elite athletes can also suffer from javelin throwers elbow but this is either caused by a one off poor throw when the pain will come immediately or then is caused by excessive pressure that hyper extends the elbow where the injury will cause anterior compression and damage. That will be felt on the outside of the elbow.

As a fellow sufferer i found this information quite enlightening and useful i hope it is for you too.

[sam]

nice one wez.. seeing as this is probably the most common injury for javelin throwers i shall make this a sticky

[robyn2012]

Throwers elbow is really horrible. I have had it 3 times now. Once in August after the AAA's in 2006. It took me 6 weeks to recover, then in March this year and it took me 3 months to recover and then in the UK school games warm up, I had to have it strapped for the competition and that lasted about 5 weeks. Its awful pain and it really does hurt. It is down to poor technique and now because I am getting stronger if I keep my arm low and it comes to the side then it is going to be worse.

[Tezzykins]

Very helpful =]

I have a very very minor case of it but it is definatly due to poor technique as I throw around the side and don't create a channel.

[Mack]

Who is the best elbow specialist in the country for Javelin throwers. I can easily get a referral from someone I'm seeing already and have an MRI booked for Tuesday.

Thanks, Neil

[dobster]

Neil - have you spoken to Robbo - I am sure he will know someone

[pietersnyman]

ah thank you so much for this post about throwers elbow.
im suffering pretty badly from it. i cant even straighten my arm or pronate/supinate. i will definatly try some of the tips like strengthening the forearm. however, with the technique i am not sure what i am doing wrong? does anyone know what throwers usually do wrong to get throwers elbow? too much round the side? arm too low? too much of a straight arm? grip?
thanks a lot
thanks a lot!!!

[slinger]

my elbow is knackered and has been for a bit now, my throwing arm "tucks" in, so very much a low arm thing, but i guess mine came about by just over throwing and just hasn't gone away - i haven't thrown at all in the best past of 9 months now and it's still bad......my elbow problem now has spread to my bicep and also front of elbow into the forearm.

[pietersnyman]

i just went to this place called blackberry clinic in milton keynes about my elbow and unfortunatly i wasnt eligable but they offer a free blood injection for things like golfers elbow which is similar to throwers elbow. apparently if the injury is reccuring and if you've had steroid injections they take some of your own blood and inject it back into the origin of the injury. its supposed to help with fibrosis and healing of the tendon. so im having steroid injection on monday but they dont really do the job permanently do they?

[slinger]

in the past i've hurt my elbow bad, as in a sudden pain when throwing, rather than the dull constant ache i get now - right now it feels as if it's a bit scar tissuey and just feels horrible, with everything around it being tender and sore.

...anyway to help in the past after a sudden pain when throwing, was rest and by that i mean leaving a spear well alone! and then relearning to throw the thing over the top, so the elbow turns up and over, as opposed to being wide and low.

[Caroline]

Interesting what Slinger says about 'over-throwing'. There are different schools of thought that winter should be for throwing as well as fitness, or just fitness alone to allow for the shoulder to rehab itself. Now... I know my pal Slinger threw a lot when he was a youngster... with hindsight - which is the better option??

[hollingworth]

HELLO ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!! has anyone had HYDROCORTISONE injection for this issue as i'm thinking of getting it done thurs @ any help at all would be great @ thanks

my emails [e-mail]

[sam]

yes i have had it and georgie bean had one last year. i found it helped for me and georgie's reduced the pain but we also had to look at improving his technique to stop the problem returning.

he is now pain free and so too am I (although mine was in 2004)

[Administrator]

I had one and it helped to ease the pain at the time. Most important thing is to rest well afterwards. I threw 3 weeks after having it done and had the same problems again and ended up having surgery on my elbow soon after. Try and get as much advice as you can on how long to rest for, what exercises to do to strengthen the elbow and you should be ok.

[hollingworth]

thanks chaps !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

looks like it might be best to just not throw for 6 weeks at all and just do lots of stretching/strengthening exercises.