Cranking Elbow?

[Cousin Eddie]

I'm getting some tendinitis in my left arm from cranking.  I started thinking I might have to start using my spinning reel more which I don't like the thoughts of.  Has anyone had this problem?  If so, has anyone tried alternating a lefty\ righty baitcaster for some relief?

Steve

[Jig Man]

I used to have that problem playing golf 7 days per week.  There is a band which you can get and strap around your fore arm.   It will help some.

[The_Natural]

I get worn out from all aspects of cranking...working the reel handle, sweeping the rod right before I'm going to contact structure, and just really working over those fat wobblers.  I crank on every trip, and always leave with both arms a little sore after a full day.  Made me renew my gym membership.  I think being in better shape will help me out.  Now I just need to actually go to the gym  

[Grug]

Tendonitus took me 3 years to heal, still feel "something" in my right elbow every now and then, but its in great shape vs. 3 years ago...

You need to heal, rest and condition the elbow. Use both heat and ice for at leat 10 min. 2 or 3 times a day. Stretch the lower arm by extending out your arm and bending your wrist down for 10 sec., then up for 10 sec. and repeat 3 time..stretchs the lower arm muscles. Use 2 lb weights and look up elbow exercises on the internet..You will see what I mean...

An elbow brace while fishing helps too. Plenty of stuff on internet to help guide you on how to take better care of it....

Good luck, tight lines.

[Crestliner2008]

"Tennis Elbow" is no joke! I'm 62 and find it more & more difficult to use hard jerkbaits for very long and if I drop shot for more than a few hours, I'll be in agony that night! Went a local "arthritis treatment center" and after some physical therapy, they gave me a forearm band called, "Band-It". You can go online (Google) to find a source. It's actually worn between the wrist and elbow and it more or less "short circuits" the tendon causing the problem and redistributes the stress - according to the experts there at the center. Does it work? Well, when I remember to use it   my elbow soreness is less that evening. I still take a couple of Tyenol Arthritis pain pills when I go to bed. But even with the band, if I fish more than 2 days in a row, I really start to feel it. It's the nature of the beast - casting. Not much you can do about it and I can assure you, it gets worse with age. I would highly recommend you seek a medical specialist, as I did, just to make sure the diagnosis is correct however.

[SneakySnook]

I used to have that problem playing golf 7 days per week. There is a band which you can get and strap around your fore arm. It will help some.

I use that strap and it works for me. But I also use a right hand baitcaster and a left handed spinning reel. Switching helped me out and using lighter equipment. Going light helped me out a ton.

[Garnet]

20 years vet. of elbow pain. Never fish without the arm bans. The key is to not get them sore.

Ask yourself do you need to make that super long cast or can the stroller get you closer?

Softer tip rods and shorter rods will help.

Garnet

[islandbass]

There is no shame in using a spinning set up for cranks. I have one at my disposal.  Call me strange, but I actually like the feel of fishing cranks with a spinning rig (I also use casting gear, no doubt). If anything, the spinning rig will offer you one thing a baitcast reel cannot.

You can switch the handle on most modern spinning reels with the greatest of ease to "rest" the side that is tired.  Many anglers (salmon and steelheaders) in my area use spinning gear so they can switch sides when one side is too tired.

Hope your tendonitis gets healed completely.

[flippin4it.]

    Wait until it gets so bad you can't even button your pants.........Then you will need to get a cortizone shot, ouch. On the serious side, get in contact with a physical therapist and get some stretch's and exercises.    

[links_man2]

I use to have elbow pain when I golfed.  The straps took care of the pain during golfing, if I remembered them.  Finally had some shoulder problems and the doc gave me some exercises to do with light 2-3 lb dumbells.  The exercises cured my shoulder pain AND my elbow pain.  Now I fish 3-4 days a week and golf 4-5 days with no pain.

Here is a link to some exercises that help tennis/golfers elbow.  They are different than what I did, but the main thing is to exercise and strengthen the muscles.  You might Google it for more exercises/info.

http://www.orthopaedicassociates.com/images/golf.pdf

[mayassa]

Wal mart sells a pretty good rap in the sports isle my problem is my knees hurt in the cold water if I'm wading for to long.

[fish-fighting-illini]

Straps, streches, excersize , rest all of it is important.

The computer is not a big help either.

Like they said if you can get it healed it is better but mine flairs up on occasion and is downright painful.

[Cousin Eddie]

Thanks for all the response.  I had a chance to see my brother-in law the PT.  His advice: Advil, ice, and cut back on the activity.  The first 2 I can handle but for the 3rd thing the best I can do is give  my spinning real a little more time in the saddle.  I've never been near as accurate with it but who knows with a little more practice.