Handgun Shooters Elbow

Tom B · February 6, 2001, 03:54 PM

Anyone else suffer from this problem. I have recently become afflicted. I purchased a tennis elbow band to wrap my arm and this helps some. Any over the counter anti-inflamatory drugs that will work (other than just pain killers)? This has been going on for three weeks now!

Tom B · February 6, 2001, 03:57 PM

Oh one other question. Would rifle shooting be worse on your elbow than pistol shooting? I have been doing alot of rifle shooting recently.

Dave R · February 6, 2001, 05:14 PM

I know this will be hard but...maybe you'd better just stick with .22 for a month or two and let your elbow heal. Or, get reeaallly good at weak-hand shooting.

Ledbetter · February 6, 2001, 05:31 PM

Yes, shooting makes some of my joints hurt sometimes. Mostly my wrist from pumping the shotgun action during recoil, or the other wrist from shooting high recoil pistols. Here are some things you can do:

Wear a brace while you shoot
Take nutritional supplements for joints (chondritin and ________).
Take anti-inflammatories (aspirin, Aleve, Advil) before you shoot.
Ice after you shoot. Warmth later in the evening.
Suffer in silence so your wife doesn't start to "reason with you."

Oh, and using the .22 more often to work on your marksmanship and limiting your higher caliber shooting will help too.

Good luck.

**Mike Irwin** · February 6, 2001, 05:36 PM

Oh yeah. My wrist, too.

I messed both up playing raquetball & squash in college, and I've been prone to it ever since when shooting heavier handguns.

Even a .357 Mag., if I shoot enough of them, can cause problems.

A pair of past recoil absorbing gloves helps.

Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) works well to relieve the symptoms.

Sports Cream (basically rub-on asprin) also works well.

Clark Kent · February 6, 2001, 06:45 PM

I'm suffering as I write -- right elbow's been sore since around Christmas, when I did shot up several hundred rounds (total) of .38s, .357., .44 spec and Mags and .45s -- over several days. I'm disappointed that the small pillows I used to support both elbows didn't help, altho it's possible I'd've been crippled without them.

I take the arthritis supplements -- MSM and chondritin (sp), which I credit with getting rid of the grinding and dull pain in my right shoulder. I dryfire double action a lot, so my forearms are relatively strong, but evidently the different muscles that come into play from recoil weren't strong enuf to protect the tendons.

I've had this before, and it takes several months to go away completely. This has only started happening the past couple of years. Getting old, dammit.

Ledbetter · February 6, 2001, 07:15 PM

That's what my doctor said. I said I wanted a second opinion. He said, "O.K., you're ugly too."

(Rimshot)

Clark reminded me of something. By the way, use the elbow brace all the time, not just when you shoot. It takes months to go away, like Clark said, and that's only if you keep the joint "stabilized" (like in a brace) as much as possible. Also, a cortisone injection might give you near-immediate relief, but you can't have too many of them.

Since I want to keep shooting, I'm careful that I don't injure the joint more by stressing it unecessarily or banging into things.

Mike in VA · February 6, 2001, 07:36 PM

The pain likely comes from the pounding from the recoil being transferred bone to joint to bone. Braces will help you heal, but shooting lighter loads is what's in order. Also, glucosamine & chondroitin will help slow the erosion of the joint cartilage. It's funny, but i can shoot 9mm all day long with no discomfort, but 200-250 .45's is about as much as I can do in a day, even fewer .357's. It's hell to grow old. M2

Guy B. Meredith · February 6, 2001, 08:27 PM

I had the elbow/forearm problems on the weak arm and thought it was from learning to shoot weak hand.

When someone observed Jerry Miculek wearing a tennis brace on his weak hand, some of us realized that in the typical stance the weak hand is supporting the gun 60% and the strong hand 40% so it takes a share of abuse as well. The injury appears to be a combination of recoil and hanging on too hard.

I took analgesics (sp?) and gave it a bit of a rest and learned not to strangle the gun. Probably regular shooting at moderate levels is the best treatment and prevention.

Course some of you youngsters just seem to fall apart anyway.

45Colt · February 6, 2001, 08:47 PM

When I played tennis, and got "real" tennis elbow, I read an article that said tennis elbow came from an improper size grip. I bought some grip wrap, increased the grip size of my racquets, and the "elbow" went away. Since most of us grip our pistols harder than we think, there may be some similarities, and maybe just changing the circumference of the grip would help. It's sort of like chicken soup. <grin> May not be a cure, but it certainly can't hurt.
Walt

February 6, 2001, 08:58 PM

Several years ago I started to get golfers elbow. I went to the tennis store to but one of those forearm bands. The salesman explained that the pain is inflammation of the tendon caused by the vibrations of hitting the ball/ground with the club. The vibrations travel up the club, up the arm and cause the tendon to inflame.

The salesman showed me a device that goes on the wrist. It looks like a watch. The band is cloth/velcro and the "watch" part is a plastic bubble that is filled with some mercury-like substance. He said that the liquid in the bubble absorbs the vibration at the wrist, preventing it from going up the arm and to the tendon.

To make a long story short, I tried it and these things REALLY work. I have worn one ever since and have never even had a twinge of pain in my elbow. I have since seen them at both golf and tennis shops and they are ~$20. You might want to give one a try. If so, be sure to give us a report.

Regards,
Frank

sox · February 6, 2001, 09:05 PM

Try over the counter NSAIDS Ibuprofen if you have no history of Gastric Ulcer especially bleeding ulcers. Try rest for 2 wks while taking the meds. alternate with tylenol. It should improve if after a couple weeks with RESTING the arm, if no better go see an orthopod. Best.

jfrancis · February 6, 2001, 09:48 PM

If a couple of week's worth of rest and anti-inflammatories (like Advil) don't work, get yourself referred to a physical rehab center. Preferably one that knows about sports injuries. There are exercises that will help the problem. Been there - done that.....

Bob C · February 7, 2001, 08:46 PM

I had this about 12 years ago. I was playing a lot of tennis, and also trying to be Dirty Harry with a Model 29 and a lot of D/A shooting of 240 bullets at 1100 fps.

An Orthopedic Surgeon with an FFL was sympathetic, but really didn't do anything that helped. After three or so weeks of no shooting, I got a brace for a few bucks, traded my 29 for a mint Browning High Power, and stuck to 9mm's and .22's for a couple of months, and it all sorted out.

I haven't played tennis since.

I'm shooting mostly .45's, as well as a .454 now, and don't have any unusual, or long lasting soreness.

February 6, 2001, 05:31 PM	#4
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Boy, are you in trouble Yes, shooting makes some of my joints hurt sometimes. Mostly my wrist from pumping the shotgun action during recoil, or the other wrist from shooting high recoil pistols. Here are some things you can do: Wear a brace while you shoot Take nutritional supplements for joints (chondritin and ________). Take anti-inflammatories (aspirin, Aleve, Advil) before you shoot. Ice after you shoot. Warmth later in the evening. Suffer in silence so your wife doesn't start to "reason with you." Oh, and using the .22 more often to work on your marksmanship and limiting your higher caliber shooting will help too. Good luck.

February 6, 2001, 07:15 PM	#7
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Getting old!!?? That's what my doctor said. I said I wanted a second opinion. He said, "O.K., you're ugly too." (Rimshot) Clark reminded me of something. By the way, use the elbow brace all the time, not just when you shoot. It takes months to go away, like Clark said, and that's only if you keep the joint "stabilized" (like in a brace) as much as possible. Also, a cortisone injection might give you near-immediate relief, but you can't have too many of them. Since I want to keep shooting, I'm careful that I don't injure the joint more by stressing it unecessarily or banging into things.

February 6, 2001, 08:47 PM	#10
45Colt Member Join Date: December 2, 2000 Posts: 60	One other thought When I played tennis, and got "real" tennis elbow, I read an article that said tennis elbow came from an improper size grip. I bought some grip wrap, increased the grip size of my racquets, and the "elbow" went away. Since most of us grip our pistols harder than we think, there may be some similarities, and maybe just changing the circumference of the grip would help. It's sort of like chicken soup. <grin> May not be a cure, but it certainly can't hurt. Walt

February 6, 2001, 03:54 PM	#1
Tom B Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 1999 Location: GA Posts: 1,836	Anyone else suffer from this problem. I have recently become afflicted. I purchased a tennis elbow band to wrap my arm and this helps some. Any over the counter anti-inflamatory drugs that will work (other than just pain killers)? This has been going on for three weeks now!

February 6, 2001, 03:57 PM	#2
Tom B Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 1999 Location: GA Posts: 1,836	Oh one other question. Would rifle shooting be worse on your elbow than pistol shooting? I have been doing alot of rifle shooting recently.

February 6, 2001, 05:14 PM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	I know this will be hard but...maybe you'd better just stick with .22 for a month or two and let your elbow heal. Or, get reeaallly good at weak-hand shooting.

February 6, 2001, 05:36 PM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	Oh yeah. My wrist, too. I messed both up playing raquetball & squash in college, and I've been prone to it ever since when shooting heavier handguns. Even a .357 Mag., if I shoot enough of them, can cause problems. A pair of past recoil absorbing gloves helps. Aleve (Naproxen Sodium) works well to relieve the symptoms. Sports Cream (basically rub-on asprin) also works well.

February 6, 2001, 06:45 PM	#6
Clark Kent Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 1999 Posts: 128	I'm suffering as I write -- right elbow's been sore since around Christmas, when I did shot up several hundred rounds (total) of .38s, .357., .44 spec and Mags and .45s -- over several days. I'm disappointed that the small pillows I used to support both elbows didn't help, altho it's possible I'd've been crippled without them. I take the arthritis supplements -- MSM and chondritin (sp), which I credit with getting rid of the grinding and dull pain in my right shoulder. I dryfire double action a lot, so my forearms are relatively strong, but evidently the different muscles that come into play from recoil weren't strong enuf to protect the tendons. I've had this before, and it takes several months to go away completely. This has only started happening the past couple of years. Getting old, dammit.

February 6, 2001, 07:36 PM	#8
Mike in VA Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1998 Location: Santa FE, NM Posts: 2,163	The pain likely comes from the pounding from the recoil being transferred bone to joint to bone. Braces will help you heal, but shooting lighter loads is what's in order. Also, glucosamine & chondroitin will help slow the erosion of the joint cartilage. It's funny, but i can shoot 9mm all day long with no discomfort, but 200-250 .45's is about as much as I can do in a day, even fewer .357's. It's hell to grow old. M2

February 6, 2001, 08:27 PM	#9
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	I had the elbow/forearm problems on the weak arm and thought it was from learning to shoot weak hand. When someone observed Jerry Miculek wearing a tennis brace on his weak hand, some of us realized that in the typical stance the weak hand is supporting the gun 60% and the strong hand 40% so it takes a share of abuse as well. The injury appears to be a combination of recoil and hanging on too hard. I took analgesics (sp?) and gave it a bit of a rest and learned not to strangle the gun. Probably regular shooting at moderate levels is the best treatment and prevention. Course some of you youngsters just seem to fall apart anyway.

February 6, 2001, 08:58 PM	#11
faiello5 Guest Posts: n/a	Several years ago I started to get golfers elbow. I went to the tennis store to but one of those forearm bands. The salesman explained that the pain is inflammation of the tendon caused by the vibrations of hitting the ball/ground with the club. The vibrations travel up the club, up the arm and cause the tendon to inflame. The salesman showed me a device that goes on the wrist. It looks like a watch. The band is cloth/velcro and the "watch" part is a plastic bubble that is filled with some mercury-like substance. He said that the liquid in the bubble absorbs the vibration at the wrist, preventing it from going up the arm and to the tendon. To make a long story short, I tried it and these things REALLY work. I have worn one ever since and have never even had a twinge of pain in my elbow. I have since seen them at both golf and tennis shops and they are ~$20. You might want to give one a try. If so, be sure to give us a report. Regards, Frank

February 6, 2001, 09:05 PM	#12
sox Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 591	Try over the counter NSAIDS Ibuprofen if you have no history of Gastric Ulcer especially bleeding ulcers. Try rest for 2 wks while taking the meds. alternate with tylenol. It should improve if after a couple weeks with RESTING the arm, if no better go see an orthopod. Best.

February 6, 2001, 09:48 PM	#13
jfrancis Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: Orlando, FL, USA Posts: 211	If a couple of week's worth of rest and anti-inflammatories (like Advil) don't work, get yourself referred to a physical rehab center. Preferably one that knows about sports injuries. There are exercises that will help the problem. Been there - done that.....

February 7, 2001, 08:46 PM	#14
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	I had this about 12 years ago. I was playing a lot of tennis, and also trying to be Dirty Harry with a Model 29 and a lot of D/A shooting of 240 bullets at 1100 fps. An Orthopedic Surgeon with an FFL was sympathetic, but really didn't do anything that helped. After three or so weeks of no shooting, I got a brace for a few bucks, traded my 29 for a mint Browning High Power, and stuck to 9mm's and .22's for a couple of months, and it all sorted out. I haven't played tennis since. I'm shooting mostly .45's, as well as a .454 now, and don't have any unusual, or long lasting soreness.