Jump to content

Fishing Thru The Pain


Ham

Recommended Posts

I'm dealing with tendinitis in my right elbow. It has been waxing and waiting for a few months now. I can't remember exactly when it started, but I know I was fighting it in late October. I'm not at all sure what specifically caused the flare up. I did catch a lot of fish in Sept and Oct and it is considered an over use injury.

I cast left handed and I have dealt with it in that arm before as well. It felt a little different, but similar enough.

Here's what I've tried : I've tried to rest it, but I have to fish. I've used ice packs three times a day thru the worst of it, and that helped a bunch. I've been trying to remember to take ibuprofen three times a day scheduled to chemically reduce the inflammation. I might switch to Aleve so that I won't have to remember as often. The arthritis creams rubbed on the offended region have helped as well.

I've taken to doing multiple forms of stretching for my hands and forearms and that has helped.

I spoke to a MD about it and he suggested a brace and quit doing the activity that injured it (blasphemer) and if I wasn't going to do that get a steroid injection in the elbow.

Three months in and it is much better. I'm getting closer to my max grip strength and It is less painful when I set the hook. IF I'm not 100% by March, I'll take the needle. This sucks though.

Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear that, seems to be something a lot of us fishermen get.

Had the same kind of deal in my left elbow a couple of years ago, I was pitching jigs a lot that year, and I pitch them with my left arm. It never got so bad that I couldn't fish, but it wasn't pleasant, but it would go away after a couple of days if I did not fish, but would come back next time out If I pitched jigs. I don't think it was as severe as yours sounds.

Anyway, once I cut down on the pitching it has gone away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I seem to aggravate it by sleeping on it wrong. I'm thinking about sleeping with my arm stuck down in a piece of PVC drain pipe to keep it straight and not crushed under me. But yes Les, I'd love to try whatever.

Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A diagnosis of work more fish less is not an option is it....lol At least you can fish enough to aggrevate injury, not a problem for me usually, I did get some bass thumb the other day tho! I deal with my back more and more from work related stuff, but when I stand and fish all day, it does get a catch in it now. I used to think I couldlift anything, Dad said i'd pay for that, he was right...

There's no such thing, as a bad day fishing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Hate to tell you this but..

You have to stop fishing and immobilize the arm as much as possible. Probably 6 months or more. I had the same thing. You'll just keep re-injuring the problem if you continue to fish. I probably took 8-10 months off of fishing, did the various stretching exercises, kept my elbow in a brace as much as possible. Then, even after the layoff I was really careful about any activity or work I did that could over extend and re-injure my elbow.

That was probably 20 years ago now. I haven't had a problem since.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know I'm an orthopedic train wreck, and a connoisseur of pain and its various remedies. Cortisone is a miracle drug for inflammation. Just not too often. Can you find any strengthening exercises for the condition? That is your long term solution.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Root Admin

Go to a Chiro or a good massage therapist and have them massage the inflamed tendons 2-3 times a week. It will be gone in a month.

I had same thing for a year. That's what I did and it worked. No drugs, didn't stop what I was doing.

The massage breaks up the bad stuff and allows blood to get in and heal the tendons. But I warn you - it will hurt like heck!!! Especially the first week. If it doesn't hurt, they're not rubbing hard enough!

Lilleys Landing logo 150.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Brace for now. Maybe a nice z track injection of a steroid. Ned has a guy who worked wonders for him, Brent Chapman, and some others. Travis Perrett.

I use a brace, and a carpal brace, anytime I pour, paint, wrap rods, etc. Have added a cheap, hard foam pillow at night, and try to sleep with it straight along the pillow. Even then I am numb and sore around 60-70% of the time.

When I am at the lake it gets very bad. There I use two pillows on either side like a goofy little throne, but it helps some.

Maybe you need to give up the Ned before you injure yourself permanently...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.