Elbow rehab

[JR 137]

Can you still kick? Seems like a good time to work on those with a heavy bag

It may or may not cause pain in the elbow. Only one way to find out. If you're in a hinged brace that locks and can open to specific ranges of motion, it shouldn't be an issue. So long as you don't fall or forget that you're injured and start throwing punches.

As an athletic trainer, I was always looking for ways to keep people working while resting the injury.

Thanks for the update. I was going to ask how it's been going a few times, but got distracted.

[DWx]

Bit of an update for anyone that's been reading... 5.5 months after the original injury, an MRI scan and several doctors later, my official diagnosis is a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligaments. Ouch!

I met with an upper limb specialist today who is advocating surgery if I want to punch properly again. They'd take a tendon from my wrist and thread it around my elbow. Rehab would be 6 weeks in a brace then 6 months no training.

So I've now got to make a decision on whether to have the surgery and if so when to have it. I'm working towards a competition in April next year so it's a question of risking surgery now and not being able to train properly in the run up out even being able to compete, or risk further damage by waiting to have the surgery done next year.

[Patrick]

YIKES. Sorry to hear that, Danielle.

[JR 137]

Not exactly the most pleasant news I've heard today. Every case is different, so take my advice with a grain of salt...

You're risking further injury and long term issues that may not be fixable. So much easier said than done, but I wouldn't take the chance. There will always be tournaments, unless of course you're talking about a once in a lifetime event like the Olympics. Missing a few won't end your career, but further injury quite possibly could.

None of us are walking in your sparring boots; you've got to do what makes the most sense to you. My view is but one of many different views.

[DWx]

Not exactly the most pleasant news I've heard today. Every case is different, so take my advice with a grain of salt...

You're risking further injury and long term issues that may not be fixable. So much easier said than done, but I wouldn't take the chance. There will always be tournaments, unless of course you're talking about a once in a lifetime event like the Olympics. Missing a few won't end your career, but further injury quite possibly could.

None of us are walking in your sparring boots; you've got to do what makes the most sense to you. My view is but one of many different views.

Thanks JR.

Normally I wouldn't bother with the comp but let's just say you're not far off the mark and it is one of those once in a lifetime events. My country won the bid to host the next European Championships and it will be the first time we have hosted for over 2 decades. It also coincides with 50 years of TKD in this country so we are pulling out all the stops including national TV coverage. Been working towards this for the last few years...

To be honest the surgeon said if I wasn't doing a physical sport he wouldn't have bothered with the surgery. It's just a question of when top do it, try to squeeze it in before and hope I have enough time to train, or leave it and take a sabbatical for 2018...

[JR 137]

That's one reason why no two cases are the same. With no risk, there's usually no reward. Just make sure you fully understand the risks involved, sort term and long term. Weight them against the the benefits.

Sounds truly like a once in a lifetime opportunity to me. You're an intelligent and rational person; I'm sure you'll make the wisest choice. Best of luck!

[DWx]

That's one reason why no two cases are the same. With no risk, there's usually no reward. Just make sure you fully understand the risks involved, sort term and long term. Weight them against the the benefits.

Sounds truly like a once in a lifetime opportunity to me. You're an intelligent and rational person; I'm sure you'll make the wisest choice. Best of luck!

I'm on the waiting list anyway as it's easier to opt out or delay than opt in so just waiting to see what date I get back... Need a crystal ball really

Surgery is basically going to be this:

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tommy-john-surgery-ucl-reconstruction?page=2

I have already competed quite a bit with the dodgy arm but it definitely limits me as any movement with extension is painful as is anything that requires me to weight bear or put stress through the joint.

[bushido_man96]

That's too bad, Danielle. I think if I was in your shoes, I'd opt for the surgery after the event, but that's just my opinion. It sounds like its going to be a really special event.

[Alan Armstrong]

Sorry to hear about your elbow injury. The diving roll done in Aikido can be a bit tricky due to hight and the speed needed to do it. I have an elbow on the mend at this moment including my hand and a twisted ankle. Thankfully we are nothing like Evil Canival that has broken most of his bones in motor cycle stunts. My x-rays also show no broken bones. My hand and elbow was damaged during an impossible stunt to breaking kiln dried posts. The ankle was twisted by wearing the wrong training shoes on the wrong training surface. Six days later single handed I gave a self-defense seminar. Now with some time out from training , it has given me the opportunity to do alot of Martial art Youtube viewing; lots of great ma stuff out there to absorb.

Us humans have a great inbuilt ability to heal ourselves with natures help and with the help and support of those around us. Therapy or surgery you will survive all of this and be all the stronger and wiser for it. Remember you are a fighter!!! Wounded in training will make you even more stronger on the battlefield because pain is what many run away from.