I'm suffering from "photographer's elbow."

[jwbryson1]

My elbow on my right arm has been hurting when I left even moderately heavy objects for the past month or 2. I thought I had injured it doing yardwork but yesterday when I lifted my D90 + 18-200mm lens which is the heaviest set up I own, it really hurt.

Could I be suffering from photographer's elbow? Does that even exist like tennis elbow? I don't really spend an inordinate amount of time carrying my camera so I am a bit bewildered.

How do I fix it? I've been wearing one of those stretchy velcro elbow braces daily for a few week and it has not helped. :scratch:

 

[Samerr9]

check up with your doctor!

 

[HughGuessWho]

Could I be suffering from photographer's elbow?
How do I fix it? :scratch:

Carry a Canon

 

[jwbryson1]

check up with your doctor!

Yes, understood, but I'm wondering if this is a common problem among photographers.

 

[jwbryson1]

Could I be suffering from photographer's elbow?
How do I fix it? :scratch:

Carry a Canon

How would that help?

 

[HughGuessWho]

Everythings better with a Canon.

 

[jwbryson1]

Everythings better with a Canon.

Except for the images. :mrgreen:

 

[imagemaker46]

Depends on exactly where the pain is, seeing a doctor is an idea, seeing a physiothepist is a better idea. If you curl a weight and the pain is in the lower bicep at the elbow it could a strain at the insertion point where the tedons and ligaments connect it to the forearm, which is below the elbow. Tennis elbow is a repetative injury, not something that you are likely to get with holding a camera occationally. The only way to figure it out is try and remember what you were doing when the pain first started, it probably had nothing to do with holding a camera, maybe lifting a box, or picking something up. Once you figure out when you can figure out how to treat it, it is likely just a strain.

 

[gsgary]

It could be Nikon photographers limp wrist

 

[kundalini]

I've had a similar issue for a couple of years, which is why I bought a m4/3 camera instead of the Nikkor 85mm f/1.4. Turns out that neither would have solved the problem. I suspected arthritis to be a root cause, but after a few tests carpal tunnel syndrome is the major culprit with arthritis being a contributing factor. After an injection of steroids in my wrist (no limp wrist jokes please) I'm having to wear a wrist brace during the day now and an arm splint at bedtime to help relieve the trapped nerve in my elbow. It's a sight for sore eyes, but a better option than surgery. We'll see in 4 weeks if this therapy works. Because I am eat up with arthritis and scar tissue in my neck, results of a laminectomy, my GP has strongly suggested to start excersizing with particular attention to swimming. Food for thought. I phuqueing hate getting old, but it is better than the alternative.

 

[Tony S]

It's common for someone who is shooting a lot of pictures to get a sore elbow or shoulder from repeatedly lifting the camera to take pictures, especially if you are using a longer/heavier setup. Learn to use a monopod or tripod more often so you are not repeating the same up and down motion as much.

Neck soreness can also be a problem, both from carrying your camera around your neck and bending/stooping forward to look into the camera to take the picture. Again, look at alternative ways to do what you want to do.

If you are not wanting to see a doc, then rest it (more than a week).... ice it ... compression ... and elevate it. If it works for you take an OTC anti-inflammatory for pain and swelling. Then find a workout routine to strengthen the muscles when you start taking pictures again.

I deal with the elbow and shoulder thing every year after the summer is over when football season starts again. I've gone from easy paced shooting to lifting a 1D and 70-200 2.8 easily 100 times a game along with carrying another body with the 400mm on a monopod. It's just something I know I have to work through every season.

 

[table1349]

check up with your doctor!

Yes, understood, but I'm wondering if this is a common problem among photographers.

Only Porno Photographers.

By the way, It's not cheating if you switch "Holding Methods." :mrgreen: :lmao:

 

[imagemaker46]

Unfortunately a lot of pros do deal with a variety of pains, especially as Tony S mentioned, I hand hold all my gear, 300 2.8 and 400 2.8 as well, but I have always taken the preventitive route on this and spend 3-5 days a week in the gym. When not in the gym I work on stretching everyday, I can't afford to being dealing with any chronic problems and at 57 years old, I am still ok,but do get sore and ache after long days of shooting though, that has never changed. Most people just don't see holding a camera or having a bag on their shoulders as being a problem. You should never have a camera with any weight hanging around your neck, unless you are looking for neck and shoulder problems. Camera bags should be switched from side to side if you are walking a lot, having the weight on one side throws off the balance, and starts to wear on the lower back. Taking some preventitive measures will make all the difference as you get older.

 

[table1349]

Unfortunately a lot of pros do deal with a variety of pains, especially as Tony S mentioned, I hand hold all my gear, 300 2.8 and 400 2.8 as well,

Have you by chance thought of a monopod? I use one for my 300mm f2.8 and 400mm f2.8. You might consider one, we have the technology now.

 

[mwcfarms]

I get pains like this in my wrist after a day of shooting 8 hours with the D700 and the 70-200 and flash unit on top. I try to go to the gym and work on it but still is sore. Also after I have been editting for lengthy periods of time it bothers me. But thats bad ergonomics on my work station.