The odds of injuring your elbow from recreational swimming are fairly low. The throwing and swinging motions of baseball and tennis, the bruising contact of football and hockey, and the falls inherent in gymnastics and wrestling all possess more potential for causing fractures, dislocations, and sprains than swimming does. Sports Injury Bulletin says that traumatic injuries from swimming are rare; injuries that do occur tend to be from overuse, and to afflict competitive swimmers. If pain in your elbow after swimming doesn't respond to self-care, see your doctor.
Lateral Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow
One of the most common elbow overuse injuries in swimmers is lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow. Swimmers who favor the butterfly and breaststroke are most at risk. According to Sports Injury Bulletin, these strokes require an "elbow-up" pull, in which the upper arm rotates and the elbow is bent and raised higher than the hand. Although this motion allows maximum thrust through the water, it can cause inflammation of the forearm muscles, as well as tiny tears in the tendon that attaches your forearm muscles to your lateral epicondyle, the bony protuberance on the outside of your elbow. The primary symptom is an aching pain at the outer part of your elbow. MayoClinic.com notes that the pain may radiate to your forearm and wrist as well. You may also feel weakness in your elbow and forearm that makes it difficult to perform such simple actions as turning a doorknob.
Triceps Tendonitis
Triceps tendonitis, also called triceps tendinosis, can afflict swimmers as well, according to Cleveland Clinic. In this condition, the tendon responsible for contracting your triceps muscle -- the muscle that runs from your humerus, or upper arm bone, to your ulna, or forearm bone -- becomes irritated and inflamed. Symptoms of triceps tendinitis are aching or throbbing pain in the back of your elbow, swelling at the back of your elbow, stiffness and limited mobility. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that pain usually worsens upon extension of the elbow.
Elbow Bursitis
Elbow bursitis, an inflammation of the bursa -- the fluid-filled sac located between the skin and bones at the tip of the elbow -- is another repetitive overuse injury that can affect swimmers. Elbow bursitis causes aching pain and stiffness; the back of the elbow may be swollen. In some cases, swelling is pronounced enough to limit movement. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, bursitis can become infected, sometimes with serious complications. MayoClinic.com advises that you should call your doctor if you experience sharp, shooting or disabling elbow pain, excessive swelling or redness, or fever.
Treatment of Overuse Swimming Injuries
Lateral epicondylitis and triceps tendinitis can be treated with applications of ice, compression and elevation -- which involves keeping your arm above the level of your heart when possible -- as well as rest and avoidance of the activity that caused the disorder. You can reduce pain and swelling by taking anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin, if there are no conditions that preclude their use. According to MayoClinic.com, you can treat elbow bursitis with applications of ice, anti-inflammatory medications and immobilization of the elbow. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says to avoid putting any pressure on the elbow. If your elbow bursitis becomes infected, your doctor may treat it with antibiotics. He may also give a corticosteroid injection.
References
- Sports Injury Bulletin: Swimming Shoulder Injuries
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Evaluation of Overuse Elbow Injuries
- Cleveland Clinic: Health Injuries--Swimming
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis
- MayoClinic.com: Tennis Elbow--Causes
- MayoClinic.com: Bursitis
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