Non-Accidental Motorcycling Injury

[funnythebunny]

I can't believe this issue hasn't been brought up before. I did a search for it here without a direct result.

For many months I've had SEVERE pain in my left elbow and forearm. I've tried every home remedy, over-the-counter med and excercise with no results.

My doctor made several tests, and after a thorough examination, I have been diagnosed with "Lateral Epicondylitis" a severe tendonitis of the left forearm typically found in middle aged patients ranging from ages 35-60.... In other words, I have Tennis Elbow...and I got it from riding my Sportster!!

I was given an anti-inflamatory injection, a script for naproxen and instructions to go home and use a heat pad when it hurts too much and of course, rest.

The thing is, I don't play tennis, at least since H.S. (a looong time ago).

My doctor feels it's from my bike's tight clutch lever. About a year ago I installed an extension on the cluch ramp to minimize the pull effort, but it's still tight, and so I keep injuring myself even further.

I'm in the process of ordering all the necessary parts to install the EZ-Pull from AMP Research http://www.amp-research.com/products...otorcycles.asp It claims to reduce clutch pull tension by up to 40% and up.

I have already done this "upgrade" to my wife's 04 XL883, and when I take her bike for a spin, I seem to have no problem afterwards (I'm estimating at least 60% lighter thn mine), so I'm doing the same for mine.

So, does anyone else suffer from the same problem? How did you overcome this?

[cantolina]

Originally Posted by funnythebunny

I can't believe this issue hasn't been brought up before. I did a search for it here without a direct result.

For many months I've had SEVERE pain in my left elbow and forearm. I've tried every home remedy, over-the-counter med and excercise with no results.

My doctor made several tests, and after a thorough examination, I have been diagnosed with "Lateral Epicondylitis" a severe tendonitis of the left forearm typically found in middle aged patients ranging from ages 35-60.... In other words, I have Tennis Elbow...and I got it from riding my Sportster!!

I was given an anti-inflamatory injection, a script for naproxen and instructions to go home and use a heat pad when it hurts too much and of course, rest.

The thing is, I don't play tennis, at least since H.S. (a looong time ago).

My doctor feels it's from my bike's tight clutch lever. About a year ago I installed an extension on the cluch ramp to minimize the pull effort, but it's still tight, and so I keep injuring myself even further.

I'm in the process of ordering all the necessary parts to install the EZ-Pull from AMP Research http://www.amp-research.com/products...otorcycles.asp It claims to reduce clutch pull tension by up to 40% and up.

I have already done this "upgrade" to my wife's 04 XL883, and when I take her bike for a spin, I seem to have no problem afterwards (I'm estimating at least 60% lighter thn mine), so I'm doing the same for mine.

So, does anyone else suffer from the same problem? How did you overcome this?

I had a similar problem....it was lower on my arm, tho....much like carpal tunnel syndrome...

After trying to address the physical problem with a doctor, I realized that I had brought it on myself when I changed bars...

Changed again from buckhorns to mini-apes, and it went away!

[Weo]

Sorry to hear about your pains.

I'd like to hear about how the ez clutch works for you.

[tim4hire]

I did some research when I was thinking I had "Tennis Elbow" symptoms and what they say is that the tendon is becoming more brittle and losing elasticity. Soo... support braces and constant massaging are the recommendations.
Hope that helps you out some good luck.
Welcome to old age!

[wandrur]

In regard to cantolina's mention of the solution mini apes provided (as compared to buckhorns), I have a right elbow injury from high school football--hyperextension--that often caused my forearm, wrist, and hand to lose circulation if my elbow remained in the same position for too long. Coincidentally, that position tended to be where my arm needed to be positioned on my stock buckhorn bars. That, coupled with 'double jointed' shoulders began causing some serious issues with my favorite riding--150+ mile stretches of highway. The mini apes helped SO much. I highly recommend them to anyone who has arm, shoulder, or even back fatigue during riding.

[DogBunny]

Yeah, I got it, and it took forever (like 9 months), but it fixed itself on its own.
How old are you? I am 50 and extremely fit and healthy. Beginning a couple of years ago, I noticed that it took forever to recover from injuries like pulls and sprains and things. Just part of the aging process.
The AMP is a great product, but you already know that. It's a lot better than the inside-the-primary cover thing, which I tried, didn't like, and immediately removed.
Changing bars is not a bad suggestion, but I used buckhorns on two bikes for a long time with no trouble. I switched one to mini-apes, took a little getting used to, now they're fine too.
IMO, work through it and be patient. Personally, I am against pain-killers. That pain is there for a reason, if you over-ride it you're just going to injure yourself worse. I'm not crazy about anti-inflammatories either, they treat the symptom, not the cause. Good luck.

[scottgearman]

I had a simular problem, I tried alot of things, physio therapy, drugs, I tried doing things differently, lifting beer cases with the other hand and sleeping on my other side... it took months but I finally started masterbating with my right hand and the pain went away

[funnythebunny]

Originally Posted by DogBunny

Yeah, I got it, and it took forever (like 9 months), but it fixed itself on its own.
How old are you? I am 50 and extremely fit and healthy...

I just turned 40 and a little out of shape, although still very active. Middle age has hit me like a ton of bricks! Does that mean I can begin my midlife crisis?

[DogBunny]

Originally Posted by funnythebunny

I just turned 40 and a little out of shape, although still very active. Middle age has hit me like a ton of bricks! Does that mean I can begin my midlife crisis?

You're already into Sportsters, so you can't do what I did when my mid-life crisis hit -- I got into Sportsters!

[indyrednek]

It is most likely caused by your riding style.
Drugs only mask it.
Change your style.
i.e. white knuckling, tension, etc.
Try relaxing when you ride and not be so aggressive.