Rock Climbing & Elbow Pain

Many climbing moves stress your forearms

Rock climbing can be hard on your joints. In particular, many rock climbers experience chronic elbow pain as a result of overuse or repetitive stress. This injury can be difficult to treat, but it is important to identify it. Ignoring the pain will only make it worse. If you respond appropriately, there's no reason that you should have to stop climbing.

Identification

Lateral epicondylitis is inflammation of the tendons on your elbow

Rock climbing-induced elbow pain is most likely the result of lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is caused by the inflammation of the tendons that join the muscles of your forearm on the outside (lateral aspect) of your elbow. This inflammation results from the repeated stress you place on these muscles and tendons when you climb and can cause inflammation and soreness in your elbow.

Cause

Tennis elbow is usually attributed to a specific forearm muscle called the extensor carpi radialis brevis. This muscle, which helps to stabilize the wrist when your elbow is straight, can become weakened when climbing, resulting in tiny tears in the tendons of your elbow. Rock climbing involves many movements that stress this area of your arm, which is why many rock climbers experience this injury.

Basic Treatment

Tennis elbow is hard to cure. If you recognize that you have tennis elbow, you should take immediate measures such as elevating and applying ice to your elbow after climbing. Try to avoid moves that particularly irritate the injury. You may have to take a break from climbing, or at least take it easy for a while. Wearing a compression band below your elbow during climbing can also help to ease symptoms. Finally, be sure to stretch your forearms thoroughly during and after climbing.

Drugs

Ibuprofen can help reduce swelling

Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications can reduce the pain and swelling in your elbow. If the pain is severe and persistent, your doctor may suggest injections of a steroid such as cortisone. These steroids are very effective at reducing inflammation, but ask you doctor about possible side effects before the shot is given.

Surgery

Approximately one in 10 people with tennis elbow will opt for surgery. Surgery is only necessary if you have persistently tried other treatments and your condition has not improved or has worsened. Surgery for tennis elbow is usually an outpatient surgery, meaning that you can go home the same day. The surgery may involve trimming parts of the muscle or tendon and reattaching healthy tendon back onto the bone.

References

• NISMAT: Tennis Elbow
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Tennis Elbow

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Tennis Elbow