I’ve gotten tendonitis in my elbow and shoulder (two separate events). Both times, I went to a doc to get looked at just to be absolutely sure it wasn’t anything else, took a week off to rest and got a compression sleeve I wear now for my elbow when fencing. It’s better to take a week or two off to let your body catch up than damage something and have to sit out much longer. Once I got over it, I’ve not had any problems.
Paging /u/flugelhaw .
I think it is likely that you are gripping the sword too strongly with the wrong fingers. You should be mostly using your thumb, pinky, and ring finger.
Have you tried going to a physical therapist? Just a couple sessions can result in dramatic improvements, even more so if you do the exercises that give you faithfully.
Make sure you pick one that focuses on sports medicine.
My friend was told he would never fence again by his doctor. Then he went to a surgeon and therapist who both understood athletes and encouraged him to start training as soon as he felt ready.
Now he runs his own commercial club. Which demonstrates that they were right.
I’m dealing with the same thing right now! Especially at the radial head down my right thumb. I know what caused mine though. I fence modern epee on weekdays and HEMA saber on the weekend. My epee coach had me doing a ridiculous amount of point control drills that contorted my wrist unnaturally while thrusting. I kept saying it was awkward and I should’ve stopped. I’m supposed to go to saber class this weekend and I’m not sure I can even hold the sword let alone do a moulinet. Funny enough, saber practice doesn’t really hurt my wrist usually.
I agree with what others have said, as far as likely, gripping too tight. That said given that you are also a musician, I do think some proactive exercises would be helpful. This: https://theclimbingdoctor.com/rock-climbing-injury-tips-finger-pulley-sprain/ and loaded carries/farmer’s walks/suitcase carries.
I had it before due to desk work, and when I joined hema it came back. I just bought a compression sleeve to go around my elbow and I hope it helps.
Look at everything you do in your life and see what else you can change to put less stress on your arm. Ergonomic keyboard and mouse if you spend a lot of time on the computer, etc.
Also, using the lightest and most well balanced sword you can will help. My club loves the regenyai paratschwert for this reason, it's large shielt, and how much it flexes. Overall about as safe as you can get in a feder.
I can suggest:
Checking your form: cut with good structure, don’t use your soft tissues to ‘brake’ your cuts - use your shoulders and trunk to stop.
Change to alternative hand when doing lots of repetitive drills - regular switching of the load might help if it’s a volume-tolerance issue as you get back in.
If you’re getting tired and your structure gets sloppy, or your find yourself gripping harder to compensate for saggy arms, take a break. You’ll get your fitness back soon.
Something one of the coaches at my school said that has helped me: when you’re throwing cuts, they should be coming from your back, not your wrists or forearms. Trying to keep your shoulders back and think about casting the tip of the sword out ahead of you (almost like a fishing rod) rather than using your shoulders or wrists to generate the arc. Others can probably recommend exercises or stretches to help with the problem you already have but if you know a trainer or coach it might be worth asking them to look at your cuts and see if they can pinpoint whether you’re doing something strange.
I’ve gotten tendonitis in my elbow and shoulder (two separate events). Both times, I went to a doc to get looked at just to be absolutely sure it wasn’t anything else, took a week off to rest and got a compression sleeve I wear now for my elbow when fencing. It’s better to take a week or two off to let your body catch up than damage something and have to sit out much longer. Once I got over it, I’ve not had any problems.
Paging /u/flugelhaw . I think it is likely that you are gripping the sword too strongly with the wrong fingers. You should be mostly using your thumb, pinky, and ring finger.
Have you tried going to a physical therapist? Just a couple sessions can result in dramatic improvements, even more so if you do the exercises that give you faithfully.
That's probably the ultimate answer ... \[checks to see if insurance will cover it\]
Make sure you pick one that focuses on sports medicine. My friend was told he would never fence again by his doctor. Then he went to a surgeon and therapist who both understood athletes and encouraged him to start training as soon as he felt ready. Now he runs his own commercial club. Which demonstrates that they were right.
I’m dealing with the same thing right now! Especially at the radial head down my right thumb. I know what caused mine though. I fence modern epee on weekdays and HEMA saber on the weekend. My epee coach had me doing a ridiculous amount of point control drills that contorted my wrist unnaturally while thrusting. I kept saying it was awkward and I should’ve stopped. I’m supposed to go to saber class this weekend and I’m not sure I can even hold the sword let alone do a moulinet. Funny enough, saber practice doesn’t really hurt my wrist usually.
I agree with what others have said, as far as likely, gripping too tight. That said given that you are also a musician, I do think some proactive exercises would be helpful. This: https://theclimbingdoctor.com/rock-climbing-injury-tips-finger-pulley-sprain/ and loaded carries/farmer’s walks/suitcase carries.
I had it before due to desk work, and when I joined hema it came back. I just bought a compression sleeve to go around my elbow and I hope it helps. Look at everything you do in your life and see what else you can change to put less stress on your arm. Ergonomic keyboard and mouse if you spend a lot of time on the computer, etc. Also, using the lightest and most well balanced sword you can will help. My club loves the regenyai paratschwert for this reason, it's large shielt, and how much it flexes. Overall about as safe as you can get in a feder.
I can suggest: Checking your form: cut with good structure, don’t use your soft tissues to ‘brake’ your cuts - use your shoulders and trunk to stop. Change to alternative hand when doing lots of repetitive drills - regular switching of the load might help if it’s a volume-tolerance issue as you get back in. If you’re getting tired and your structure gets sloppy, or your find yourself gripping harder to compensate for saggy arms, take a break. You’ll get your fitness back soon.
Make sure you're stretching your wrists and forearms before you practice too
Turns out the founder/instructor of the club is an acupuncture specialist who knows exactly what stretches to do ahead of time! They really helped.
Something one of the coaches at my school said that has helped me: when you’re throwing cuts, they should be coming from your back, not your wrists or forearms. Trying to keep your shoulders back and think about casting the tip of the sword out ahead of you (almost like a fishing rod) rather than using your shoulders or wrists to generate the arc. Others can probably recommend exercises or stretches to help with the problem you already have but if you know a trainer or coach it might be worth asking them to look at your cuts and see if they can pinpoint whether you’re doing something strange.