Is this tennis elbow???

[Geico]

Sorry if this has been covered before...

There has been a constant *tingling* feeling in my elbow for the past few days, dominantly on the inside of my left elbow(I'm left-handed).
I play almost everyday, (mostly alone practicing my serve).

Is this a precursor to a tennis elbow, cos I've never experienced it before?

Also, I've recently switched to a stock LM Instinct (a little over 11oz), after using a 12.4oz racquet for many months.

Ice after playing and during the evenings has helped somewhat.

But there has never been any pain,so far........

[TheRed]

it might be but it's hard to say. You'll know tennis elbow when you get it. From what you say about serving alot, tennis elbow on the inside of your arm is exactly where I'd have said you'd have pain. On serves, make sure your arm is relaxed and fully extended upon impact. If you're constantly making contact with your elbow bent and hitting behind you, you'll probably get tennis elbow (or golfer's elbow because it's on the inside) sooner or later.

[Zverev]

It might be starting Golfer's elbow ( medial epycondilitis ?).

Moving to lighter racquet can definitely cause it,
try to lower tension or use softer strings (gut or multi).

Golfer's elbow can be caused by bad technique forehand (too wristy) and/or serve ( check Marius's sites)

Watch it carefully, if you have any pain with wrist pronation, you have to stop playing tannis till your elbow is fixed.

P.S. Golfer's elbow took off the game for three full months.

[Marius_Hancu]

check Elbow Pain in my signature here:

[diktennis]

Tennis elbow is pain and inflammation located on the lateral humeral epicondyle(outside) and golfer's elbow is the same on the medial side(inside).
Interestingly,the pro's tend to have more pain on the medial(inside) aspect and amateurs on the outside. You're in good company.
Take this seriously and examine your stroke techniques as well as not overtraining.
dik

[Geico]

Ty for the feedback.

[Cartman]

I have had Golfer's Elbow, and it put me out for at least 3 months - then found out it was a tricep problem - inner tricep closest to the elbow: would mainly flare up after serving 'flat' and hard serves. Slice serve presented no problems. Of course it took me months to determine this. So to start, stay away from flat hard serves, until you heal and strengthen that area. Also re-evaluate your racquet and strings. I researched the Prokennex Ionic Ki 5 racquet as one of the kindest for this condition:

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageRCPK-KI5.html

go to a softer string - such as Wilson NXT Tour, 17 or 18 guage; and a lower string tension.

C

[stc9357]

I had minor tennis elbow and I had to take off for two weeks. Yesterday was my first day back and my arm was fine didn't use a brace or anything.

[topsltennis]

Interesting. I'm having the exact same problem. I don't have "tingling" but rather the feeling of more a muscle strain/pain on the inside elbow. Mine seems to hurt the most when the wrist is in the laid back position on the forehand. I've been playing quite a bit this summer, usually 6 days a week.

[PM_]

I can't believe this thread is still going (I used to be Geico).

The tingling hasn't changed a bit-it's always there, even when I have my arm up watching television it just comes and goes. Like funnyelbow...

But the cause is certain for sure, I serve huge bombs everytime!

[gokou703]

your showing signs of cubital tunnel syndrome. your tingling sensation around the medial epicondyle of your elbow is a sign of friction of the ulnar nerve. this friction occurs in the cubital tunnel of the medial side of your elbow. if you feel that sensation radiate to your pinky and ring finger then it is for sure an ulnar nerve injury. it could be pitchers elbow, but it seems more like a nerve problem and less like a ulnar ligament injury. check your technique. when i use to hit fell western i experienced much of the same sensation. also making contact late, or over grasping your grip too tightly at contact may cause that problem as well. the 4 reasons of cubital tunnel syndrome are injury due to a strong valgus force (pushing your forearm laterally), a narrow cubital tunnel making friction of the ulnar nerve more possible than normal, a lax or weak medial ligament, or a compression of the nerve. resting your elbow for 2 weeks is reccommended along with nsaids(er advil, ibup.). uhm. if that doesn't help you might need surgery to widen the cubital tunnel. i doubt that though. your injury seems minor. your lighter racket should help though. you might want to ask a well sound player to study your technique. especially your forehand and serve, the 2 strokes that usually cause this injury

[Marius_Hancu]

The tingling hasn't changed a bit-it's always there, even when I have my arm up watching television it just comes and goes. Like funnyelbow...

But the cause is certain for sure, I serve huge bombs everytime!

which racket, which strings, which tension?
do you feel it mainly on serves, or?
doing any conditioning?
check my signature here:

[PM_]

Some deep terminology gokou, thanks. I'm just about due for a lesson anyway.

Marius, I switched racquets again-to an M-Fil 200 (see sig.), which is over 12oz.
This racquet is more at home to my previous Prince Graphite Pro 90 and the tingling has dwindled somewhat.

I was heavily into weightlifiting and some bodybuilding 10 years ago and I've retained most of the strength and power still, although not the mass anymore.
Currently, I hit the bike machine for about half/hour a couple times a week when I have time, and I'm adamant with stretching consistently.
I'm not double jointed but I've always had a leaner arm and not a stubby wide wrist as some guys do.
I'm almost certain this has to do with my serve form as I like to give it all on my flat serves.
The strange thing is I don't feel any of the tingling during play but instead afterwards when I come home to relax, or anytime I have my hand up to my face (as when I'm talking on the phone). Luckily, I don't play competitely as much anymore and most spend my time practicing my serve.

But's for sure there are others who must experience the same thing and it doesn't appear to be something serious.