Elbow problems and prone shooting

[Fast14riot]

Well I've been fighting some pretty severe pain in my left elbow (weak side) since last October and finally was able to get to a neurologist and have been diagnosed with cubital tunnel syndrome plus arthritis in my neck.

Resting on and putting weight on your elbows can and does aggravate it. I may look into some sort of pad for it when shooting. Those that do use an elbow pad, what have you found that you like? I shoot F/open and don't necessarily want to go to a hard cup, strap on pad, but if needed I will.

I hope this doesn't force me into Benchrest sooner than later, lol!

 

[rlporter507]

my son came up with a 1/2 blue yoga pad, cut it into squares and handed them out to juniors to put under the mat. I snagged one when he wasn't looking! helps a lot. I've thought of using some kind of glue to attach it to the under side, but i just toss it under it when i lay it down.

 

[jpretle]

I use a gel pad, available from sporting goods outlets.
The gel is contained in neoprene and the pad stays put
once slipped up your arm.

 

[One Eye Pete]

I use an old ice hockey elbow pad from my (much) younger days. The pad has a semi hard outer shell, padded lining and straps on with Velcro. I tried putting a soft pad down on my shooting mat but it tended to move around and was just one extra thing I had to carry to the line and set in position. With the strap on pad I simply put it on before the match starts and I don't even know I have it on. I also don't have to worry about forgetting to bring it to the line. I tried a lightweight soft foam slip on elbow pad but I still felt my elbow towards the end of the match. With the hard outer shell pad I can shoot all day. You may not want to wear one but believe me it works. If you think the problem goes away when you shoot from a bench try resting your elbow on a concrete bench for a while!!!!!

 

[K22]

I use Blackhawk neoprene elbow pads which works well for me shooting for my elbows resting on my knees in a sitting position shooting off cross sticks while seated on a sportsman's chair. So I believe they will work for a prone position.

Plenty of pad and durable. However, you may have to make some home-made adjustments to fit your arm if you and small diameter arms.

 

[paperpuncher]

I use these available on amazon under 20 bucks
elbow pads

 

[Fast14riot]

I use an old ice hockey elbow pad from my (much) younger days. The pad has a semi hard outer shell, padded lining and straps on with Velcro. I tried putting a soft pad down on my shooting mat but it tended to move around and was just one extra thing I had to carry to the line and set in position. With the strap on pad I simply put it on before the match starts and I don't even know I have it on. I also don't have to worry about forgetting to bring it to the line. I tried a lightweight soft foam slip on elbow pad but I still felt my elbow towards the end of the match. With the hard outer shell pad I can shoot all day. You may not want to wear one but believe me it works. If you think the problem goes away when you shoot from a bench try resting your elbow on a concrete bench for a while!!!!!

A hockey pad might not be so bad, I just want to avoid the hard plastic outer cup like skateboard elbow pads, as I sometimes shoot on a hard deck firing line and those slide. I currently have a small 5"×5"×1" leather sand bag i use for my trigger hand elbow as I often get it off the mat and into the gravel. I may make another one of those but with memory foam or gel pad instead of sand.

I've skinned my elbows pretty good shooting on a bench, but its supporting my weight on my elbows that's making it worse.

I'll look into all the recommendations so far.

 

[K22]

I've skinned my elbows pretty good shooting on a bench, but its supporting my weight on my elbows that's making it worse

This need to be avoided at all costs.

In 2014, I developed a severe case of tendonitis in my right elbow from rubbing repeatedly on a coarse carpeted bench during some extensive load development. It took quite a lot of rest time and cortisone shots to heal it.

 

[Fast14riot]

This need to be avoided at all costs.

In 2014, I developed a severe case of tendonitis in my right elbow from rubbing repeatedly on a coarse carpeted bench during some extensive load development. It took quite a lot of rest time and cortisone shots to heal it.

That where I'm at now. I ordered some gel elbow rest pads to start with. May have to add a padded slip-on style as well. I will be trying several things out.

I had pretty bad tendonitis in my right elbow several years ago from repetitive motion at work. Best thing to happen to me to fix my elbow was blowing up my knee and being out of work for months, lol! That was 5 years ago and not a problem with it since. This cubital tunnel issue is new and on the other side. Painful, I loose feeling in my fingers, but no loss of strength in that hand. Trying to avoid surgery for now.

 

[fx77]

Two problems. Elbow flexion without weight and leaning on the ulnar nerve directly. Padding only helps the latter not the former.

Something that might help is worn at night during sleep or rest periods...TV, reading the paper etc.

Resting elbow splint of which there are many from which to choose.


Here is but one example

Amazon.com

Evidence based medical practice:

Outcomes of Rigid Night Splinting and Activity Modification in the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - PMC

To prospectively analyze, using validated outcome measures, symptom improvement in patients with mild to moderate cubital tunnel syndrome treated with rigid night splinting and activity modifications. Nineteen patients (25 extremities) were enrolled ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Fast14riot]

Yep, thats already in the works. Just wanted to explore the directly related to my shooting options. I also tend to lay in bed and read almost nightly, that does cause numbness and pain, so going to have to figure that out.

 

[JLittle]

What kind of mat are you using? Some of the tri and quad fold type mats have extra padding in the section that the shooters rest rests the elbows on. The Creedmoor is zippered and one of the two pads can be removed. I suppose you could add or change the type of padding to a gel type pad.

 

[Fast14riot]

What kind of mat are you using? Some of the tri and quad fold type mats have extra padding in the section that the shooters rest rests the elbows on. The Creedmoor is zippered and one of the two pads can be removed. I suppose you could add or change the type of padding to a gel type pad.

Yeah, thats also something I'm looking into replacing. I use a thin roll up mat. The pads i ordered to try out ar 6" round and for resting your elbow on when on a computer or at a desk. Its a medium density gel. Just the first thing on the list to try.

 

[JLittle]

Just for reference. A long time ago a prone Highpower shooter got sideways with some rules concerning artificial support and extra external pads. On his elbow under the coat or in the mat likely would not have been an issue. Wasn’t me. I just remember the episode. Reference only.

 

[FTR_Mojo]

I had exactly the same issue.
I started using mountain biking elbow pads and haven't had a problem since.

 

[Fast14riot]

Just for reference. A long time ago a prone Highpower shooter got sideways with some rules concerning artificial support and extra external pads. On his elbow under the coat or in the mat likely would not have been an issue. Wasn’t me. I just remember the episode. Reference only.

Yeah, I've seen it come up in discussion in F/Class, too. I'll cross that road when it comes up, but until then I don't want to hurt during or after shooting club matches.

 

[ChrisNZ]

I use a gel pad, available from sporting goods outlets.
..

Had to resort to this once in the old sling days. Came a gutza off a dirt bike and got a bursa on my elbow. The pad saved the day until it healed.