Yeap happened to me.....over a year ago...still hurts
Switched to quads....
In the high winds, I've been flying my vented b series Rev, and my vented QPro. I will never make a full switch to quads, because I'm bored of flying them after less than an hour. I always convince myself that it's not too windy for a dual line and end up working on figures, tip stands & landings.
Sounds like tendinitis, and I've gotten it in both elbows and shoulders from time to time, though usually from the repetitive motion of trying to learn a new trick.
Ice, ibuprofen, and (if you can manage it) rest should help.
Good to hear that it's not too uncommon. It feels like it's the repetitive motion of punching turns. Maybe similar to when you 'throw your arm out' playing baseball.
Hard pulling kites annoy my tennis elbow, which happens when the wind is up. I used to wear a tennis elbow wrap thing on my forearm when I flew in heavy wind, which helped.
See ya,
Bill
I'll have to look for a tennis wrap thing. I assume I'll find one where I got my carple tunnel wrist thingies...
I had similar symptoms last year or 2 ago...
Started worrying about my flying too..
Went to the doctors office after a few months of hurting,
he gave me some little shots around the elbow,
and it hasn't hurt since.
Ice and ibuprofin was just temporary relief before the dr visit.
I hope it doesn't come to a Dr's visit and shots. Flying figures is not why I go out and fly, but sometimes it's what the conditions dictate.
Insert Quote
I don't have that problem yet, but I've experienced what I think of as the precursor to carpal tunnel syndrome for years from the repetitive stuff of computer keyboard use. I had friends go through that surgery and saw how much pain they had. I never ever wanted to experience that, so everytime my hands/wrists would get tired or began with twinges of pain, I would slap on wrist supports and ease up a bit on the keyboard use. After a couple of days of this, things would be better. My hands and wrists are still going strong.
I guess what I'm saying is that an ounce of prevention is a very good thing. Back off a little on the flying, wear elastic supports, maybe an initial visit to the doctor as Dano mentioned. It's worth it in the long run.
I know all about the carpal tunnel thing. A few years ago, I rehabbed 2 houses, back to back. Hammering, screwing, painting all did a number on my wrists. I hope this elbow thing doesn't turn into something as bad as that.
Rob
I had the same problem caused by kite boarding.
Physiotherapy, rest from kiteboarding and choosing other activities were the cure.
It took 12 months though..
That's when i took up cycling!!
Cheers
Steve
I really should dust off my bicycles and get back out there, but I have to wait for hunting season to be over. I think the trails open back up to bicycles in March or April.
Unfortunately Rob, you are going to be noticing more and more of these little tweaks in this joint and that muscle as you get on further down the road.
For me, it's becoming more like a celebration of what doesn't hurt I have been postponing rotator cuff surgery to the point of now saying I'm too old to do it because of the amount of time necessary to rehab..........I'll live with it and just hope that the Bowflex will keep me strong enough t0 keep going into the sunset years, which I'm afraid have already arrived. (If I knew I was gonna live this long, I'da taken a bit better care of my temple so to speak)
Change your exercise program around a bit to strengthen opposing muscles and hope that RA doesn't become a big part of your existence.
Jim
A celebration of what doesn't hurt ! That about sums it up. If it's not my back or my neck, it's not too bad. Getting old sucks... you realize that all those fun things you did years ago cost a price now. I'm sure the crazy jumps I used to do on bikes, skiis, and snowboards are a big reason my back hurts every day. I'm sure a number of impacts to my hands & arms have caused my wrists, and now maybe elbow to hurt. If I could go back... I'd probably still do those crazy things...
Is it the elbow in your strong arm?
It is possible you are emphasizing tricks from one side of your body. Almost all of us do. If that is the case, work on using your other side more.
One trick I use for carpal t. is to put the mouse for the computer on the left side even though I am much faster with the right. This helps to even out the repetitive motions and, hopefully, put both sides below the threshold of injury.
PATIENT: Doc, it hurts when I do this.
DOCTOR: Don't do that.
Sad, but true.
PATIENT: Doc, it hurts when I do this.
DOCTOR: Don't do that.
Yes, I keep thinking of that old joke. I could wrap it up and go home, but I’m getting good at flying in a straight line, and making sharp 90 degree turns… It happens to be my right arm, but I was just doing box turns, equal left vs. right. Maybe I’m just punching the rights harder.
If you're hurting after a flying session you need to change your technique. If you're worried about your elbows from doing punch turns, then you are doing some kind of really over the top punching. Relax. Try other ways, especailly combo turns. I use my wrist for the initiation of a punch turn, the hands move faster than the arms, so I start with my wrist cocked and it moves quickly at the beginning of the punch. sort of a flicking punch. Works great for most of the kites I fly, even the big ones.
Most modern kites don't need the kind muscle to change course that some of the old skool kites did.
Much more common to have hand and wrist pain from hard pulling kites. Get the straps off your wrist and into your fist. If you fingers get tired, take a break. Most people's hands can build up flying strength pretty well over a few months.
I had carpal and cubital tunnel surgery on both arms a few years ago and a thing called a Dyna-Flex was great to build up hand and wrist strength. It's a gyroscopic ball that you spin up and the faster it goes the harder it is to hold onto asnd keep spinning. Cheap and effective.
The over the top punching was dictated by the conditions… 15-20mph. It’s actually quite a workout flying the QPro VV with the vent panels in. It’s my ‘strong standard’ kite. I do use a squeezy toy to strengthen my wrists & forearms, and to get rid of aggression while driving around here. I’ve seen the gyro ball, and will pick one up the next time I see it in the store.
Thank you all for your advice, I’m glad to hear that it’s not that uncommon to be hurting after some flying. There’s no way I’ll stop flying, but I hope the wind dies down so I can get back to learning to trick.
