Inner elbow pain (bench press, curls, etc)

[Cloudguy]

Starting probably a couple weeks ago (I am not positive when exactly it started) I was getting a slight pain in the inner part of my elbow near where the bicep ends and the inside of the elbow begins during bench pressing.

Prior to this, I had been experiencing some slight elbow discomfort near my elbow and below in the lower part of my left forearm that seemed to be tennis or golfers elbow. After icing that a couple times it seemed to go away and there was no more problem until this developed.

So the pain seemed to occur mainly during bench pressing right at the inside of the elbow. The pain seemed to be dulled out when the weight of the bar was transmitted through my arm, but after I let the bar go and the weight was no longer compressing my arm, the pain would shoot up briefly until I rubbed it out. The strange thing is, I did not really notice it doing many other exercises that involve the bicep to any extent, including deadlifts, rows, pulldowns, pullups, anything. That all changed yesterday. I did the presses on Monday and it seemed like the pain in the elbow was killing my endurance a bit (I started off strong, but ran out of strength quicker than normal, that has been happening the past week or 2 on press exercises).

Tuesday (yesterday) I went to the gym and started off with some reverse fly exercises and the pressure it was putting on my left elbow (inside of elbow) was causing great pain. I tried to do some cable curls afterwards to loosen it up, and banged out 8 on my right arm and when I got to my left arm I could barely get through 3 with excruciating pain right where my elbow and bicep meet and inside my elbow. I moved to deadlifts and with ultra-high weight was not experiencing a shooting pain, more of a dull annoying ache most likely due to attempting the curls earlier.

Anyway, it is now the next day and, while I have not tried to put much weight on the joint, it really does not hurt much. There will be an occassional annoying tingle here and there or some minor discomfort, but nothing serious. I have full range of motion with no pain and nothing hurts when touched or squeezed.

Anyone have any idea if this is tendinitis or an overtaxed muscle or what? Maybe due to overuse of the joint? I have been working out a good bit lately and have been increasing weight steadily using a periodization scheme (2-3 weeks at lower weight, higher reps, 2-3 weeks at high weight for 5 sets of 3 to 4, mostly on press exercises, then 2-3 weeks at a lower weight again). This has given me great improvement but maybe I am trying too much too fast?

Any ideas?

[Red5]

Sounds very much like golfer's elbow (same as tennis except on the inside).

In my experience a lot of the pain comes from inflamation of the ligament. There are some good transdermal creams about that will help the healing process, but a visit to the physio wouldn't hurt.

[narcsarge]

I agree w/ Red. I had the same sort of pain on my right arm and purchased one of the band/brace that was recommended. If you want to self-diagnose your injury I have found Injury Clinic to be a big help...

[Gill]

I had the exact same thing and it lasted 2-3 months. It generally has to do with your muscles developing quicker than your connective tissues. Your muscles can lift the weight but your ligaments and tendons cannot handle the tension yet.

By some topical cream to dull the pain and drop your weight on your exercises for awhile. If you keep lifting the same weight, it will continue to agitate and you could cause damage overtime.

I know its frustrating to back off weight, but don't let your ego cost your permanent injury.

[Cloudguy]

That is what I thought. It is happening in my left (less dominant) arm and I figured that the muscle was developing to the point where I could lift a good amount of weight but that I was moving up too quickly for everything else to develop as well. I had looked up tennis and golfers elbow but I did not necessarily think that was the issue because those are mostly problems with the forearm up to the elbow. Most of my pain, or really just an annoying occassional tingle now, is centered just below the middle of my bicep and sometimes goes down into my elbow. The strange thing is that it does not hurt at all to touch or even massage deeply. The pain must be deep down in the tissue somewhere because even the inside of my elbow joint does not huirt to touch.

I will keep moving heavy on the lifts that I can that do not aggravate anything and back off and focus more on form and development on the other lifts.

[Red5]

Although you're feeling it around the bicep area instead of the forearm it still sounds like it's tendon trouble (I've had trouble with this predominatly in my weaker arm) and could merely be inflamation, which a cream can resolve. It could also be a small muscle tear, these don't always result in major pain or lack movement.

If it's improving all on it's own then all good & well, otherwise it'd be worthwhile getting it checked out before it gets worse.

Best of luck.

[Cloudguy]

Ugh. Dont say tear. It seems to be dulling away. I have been doing light curls around the office today with books and other light stuff. Seems like warming it up and loosening it has helped a bit. However it does feel like it is throbbing occassionally with the beating of my heart. I will just give it some time I suppose and do light lifting and only do heavy stuff that does not involve my elbow joint.

[budman9999]

Cloudguy, wanted to see how you are doing. I certainly hope you have recovered - I recently started having "golfer's elbow" issues and have had little success remedying it. Please post your current condition with actions taken you consider helpful. Thanks.