Elbow Problem

W

WPArborist

Location
Ontario
My right elbow pops and cracks when I am using the pruner outstretched. It isn't terribly painful, it can get sore if I am swinging a pruner all day (like today). My wrists are better, back is better, just the elbow now. It doesn't hurt while doing anything else, just that darn pruner. Any ideas what is going on? Wouldn't mind dealing with this now instead of later.


Thanks

WP
 
Keep your elbows down as much as possible. Don't have them out to the side parallel to the ground.

Can you get yourself closer to your work so you don't have to put so much leverage on your arm? Maybe try to find a lighter weight pruner.
 
Thanks Tom

I certainly try not to extend my arm too much, but I'm sure you know, in some trees that just isn't happening.

What pruner head/pole would you recomend.


WP
 
Gotcha...part of the job to get into awkward positions :(

A friend of mine has some wooden poles made from tulip poplar that are light, stiff and strong. Head down to Home Depot or Lowes and see if you can find them used as closet rods.

I find that wooden pole sections are lighter than 'glass. Mine last for years but I take care of mine. 'Glass are more durable if your crews beat on them.

Marvin is my pruner head of choice.
 
I hafe always used Marvin, I tried a Corona years ago and didn't really like it. Oh boy, I'm not sure if I could go back to a wooden pole, I think I still hafe some slivers from those things.

Maybe I will just hafe to admitt that I'm getting older, no more huge hand bombing (wrists), no more power lifting logs (back), and no more super extenta-reach pruner cuts (elbow).....getting old sucks!

Would any kind of elbow support help?


WP
 
Look after your body cause your employer wont be paying for the private medical bills in years to come...you will be paying for it!

My elbow problems are a combination from chainsaw opereations and to much offroad mountain biking in my 20´s, they have cracked for years, hand seizures almost arthritic at times from chainsaw use 15 years on and counting, stop trying to be oh so macho lifting big logs, want a hernia keep going, i´ll just watch you roll about in pain... and you will wonder why you have blood coming from that lower area when you go to the potty.

Recently been getting sciatic nerve problems they come and go, they are more in the cronic time scale these days, as long as the man in charge is getting dollars or euros at the end of the day they dont care...if you have to pay for it later on in life.
 
Don't worry, I am definately learning to use my brain more than my brawn the last few years. My body is holding up well now that I'm letting the "macho man" take a back seat. I just can't seem to get away from using the pruner though, that's what is killing my elbow.

Anybody know what makes a joint crack or pop?


WP
 
Thanks for the link 120770.

I have been trying what Tom said, it has seemed to help so far. It takes a real conscious effort to keep my elbows in and not reach too far. Time will tell.......I'm sure some new nagging injury will surface just to remind me that I'm getting older.

WP
 
about the whole idea.

Examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can find checklists in magazines and books and on Internet sites that deal with used cars;
 
Re: about the whole idea.

aaf_whatthehell.gif
 
WPA,

I can relate to the elbow pain. Mine seemed to hurt more in the colder, moister weather. Geographical relocation helped that.

Like Tom said, positioning will help, keep elbows in to your sides as much as possible. Yes, I know that isn't practical much of the time. You may also get some benefit from a quality Glucosamine supplement.
 
Hey Kevin, sometimes I have elbow pain while working from an old broken bone in my arm and I have found that an ACE elbow brace keeps it warm and gives it just enough support.

I want to try acupuncture for my bad shoulder and see if it helps.
 
Everyone with a repitive use injury should try to find someone that does ART (active release technique). When you repeatedly injure yourself you develope scar tissue in your muscles. ART is like deep massage with very deliberate movements at the same time. This breaks up the scar tissue and allows the muscle to work properly. Altough not cheap it does work if you find the right Doc. I speak from experience as I run ultra marathons and have got these treatments in the past. I have also got him to work on my forearms from chainsaw use, helped alot.
 
Sounds good Pheniox. Pancake, what exactly is glucosamine chondrotoin? Herbal thing or pain med? I have pain in my one knee and ankle whenever Im in the spikes for a while, so Im always looking for something. Found a good support brace for the knee that helps a ton, and neoprene sleeve for the ankle, but nothings perfect.

I dont know if anyone else does this, but I always get crazy lower back pain from the saddle(bad backs run in my family), so I started wearing one of those velcro back support belts under my work pants. Does a pretty decent job of keeping my back in line, and provides some minor support too.

But anyways, sorry for the hijacking. The plane is all yours now.
 
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I dont know if anyone else does this, but I always get crazy lower back pain from the saddle(bad backs run in my family), so I started wearing one of those velcro back support belts under my work pants. Does a pretty decent job of keeping my back in line, and provides some minor support too.



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Build up your abs and learn to sleep on your back with a pillow under your legs and it will help tremendously. I also get shiatsu treatments which work deep in the tissues.
 
I've had the therapy deal to get rid of the scar tissue where they work out on you with the "tools" as the therapists like to call them. They are not a lot of fun at all.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds good Pheniox. Pancake, what exactly is glucosamine chondrotoin? Herbal thing or pain med?

[/ QUOTE ]
It is a supplement, I thought it was snake oil but I believe now. Cosamin D, available @ most drug stores, is about $60. I also believe there is a prescription version available also. I had to choose between more advil, a rednecks suggestion to eat chicken grissle, or the Cosamin. It is good stuff. Yoga also works well for me, if I do it consistently.
 
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