OPS Injury Tendinitis

[DarkStar50 680]

This was just mentioned in another thread so I wanted to start it here. I never had this problem until the middle of August. I was trying a different brand OPS from the regular OPS I use. About 15 minutes into the game my elbow was stiff/sore. I figured since I hadn't touched the puck much yet, my arm was stiff from not bending. I didn't like the feel of this new OPS. I went back to my other OPS. By the next morning, I figured out what was happening. The start of tendinitis in my forearm up to my elbow. I played the next week. halfway through that game my arm was shot. It was the top hand for gripping the stick that was killing me. The day after I could barely lift a 1 gallon water bottle at the supermarket. The forearm was hurtin'. I played the third week. By now I did not bother with shooting warm-ups. I justed wanted to play. I also figured since my legs were ok there was no reason to miss playing. I eventually got one of those arm bands to slide over your forearm. That helped tremendously in taking away the pain. The problem still lingers but it really is a crummy injury. Anyone else ever run into this problem from their OPS? This is the same as when tennis racquets went from wood to aluminum in the 70s. That is why this injury is known as "tennis elbow." Maybe we can change the name to "OPS elbow."

[JR Boucicaut 3809]

Yes, I have.

What stick were you using?

The absolute worst for me was XN10. It made me stay away from composite blades for a long time until I got the Pulse blades.

[Chadd 916]

I usually get it with stiffer sticks but I never had that problem with TPS sticks.

[DarkStar50 680]

I went from a Vapor XXX (navy/mexico made) 77 flex to a Mission Pulse Grip 85 flex. I think there were two parts to this problem for me. The first is obvious: the different flexes, stiffer Mission, plus after I chop off 6" because I'm 5'6" and use a very short stick, the Mission got way too stiff as compared to the Vapor. The second thought is check the bottom tapers on the two OPSs where the shaft meets the blade. The XXX has a much better taper, similar to a true wood stick construction. The Mission, as well as the Easton, now that I look more closely since my little boo-boo, have little to no taper from the shaft to the heel of the stick. The shaft is fat, then boom, there is the heel of the stick. I'm guessing this has to have something to do with energy transfer/vibration dampening, etc. Check it out when comparing OPSs brand to brand.

[JR Boucicaut 3809]

Hmm...in your case it's most likely the stiffness by cutting it. I don't cut any of mine and the Pulse has helped me in that instance.

[Drewhunz 3]

I went from a Vapor XXX (navy/mexico made) 77 flex to a Mission Pulse Grip 85 flex. I think there were two parts to this problem for me. The first is obvious: the different flexes, stiffer Mission, plus after I chop off 6" because I'm 5'6" and use a very short stick, the Mission got way too stiff as compared to the Vapor. The second thought is check the bottom tapers on the two OPSs where the shaft meets the blade. The XXX has a much better taper, similar to a true wood stick construction. The Mission, as well as the Easton, now that I look more closely since my little boo-boo, have little to no taper from the shaft to the heel of the stick. The shaft is fat, then boom, there is the heel of the stick. I'm guessing this has to have something to do with energy transfer/vibration dampening, etc. Check it out when comparing OPSs brand to brand.

You're getting tendinitis because your old ;) Actually I get it too, and it is most noticible like you said when I use a stick with a slight or no taper. The thing I tried was by putting a couple wraps where my bottom hand is and voila, the pain is greatly diminished. Hope this works for you.

[DarkStar50 680]

Old I know about. The birthday was Thursday, the injury was Friday. It is the most dangerous time of the year for me. Don't say I didn't warn you when you guys get older. I always hurt something like a day or two after the B'day!

I'm thinking an intermeidate OPS is where I'm headed next. I need my Lids pattern.

[Jarick 5]

Bumping this for some help.

I've been having more and more forearm pain in my top hand's arm the last couple weeks. Working at a desk job doesn't help with clicking the mouse and typing. It's pretty painful and I pretty much can't practice at all.

Here's a brace for tennis elbow. Would this product help?

[MLSman 22]

I can relate....

Between working on computers and playing hockey, the tendonitis in my elbow has been getting progressively worse. It started when I was using a stiffer shaft, as I use two piece sticks. It is not as bad with an 85 flex, but after playing I am still quite sore. The only thing that works is a cold pack, active-on, and some extra strength Tylenol. I have been using an elbow brace which also helps.

[A2rhino 76]

So crazy that this came up. I just went and got a neoprene support for tennis elbow/tendinitis and was wondering if it was from my stick. I still tend to think not though just because I have been using the same sticks for the past few years and it just began this week. Mybe I am getting old.

[Joker518 0]

I can relate....

Between working on computers and playing hockey, the tendonitis in my elbow has been getting progressively worse. It started when I was using a stiffer shaft, as I use two piece sticks. It is not as bad with an 85 flex, but after playing I am still quite sore. The only thing that works is a cold pack, active-on, and some extra strength Tylenol. I have been using an elbow brace which also helps.

I'm an Hockey player/IT guy too... Throughout the year I get wrist issues like in the second period and in some cases, elbow pain too. If I do an athletic tape wrap around the wrist (looping the thumb), it eliminates the pain. This usually lasts a few games until I do a pre-game wrap for like two weeks and then I'm fine for the season.

Oh, and I am getting old too. Sure that has a lot to do with it.

[TBLfan 25]

This is kinda off topic but... I get some odd shoulder pain. For some reason I've been getting shoulder pain after I play, always in my right shoulder. I used to throw my bag over the shoulder so I stopped and throw it over my left shoulder now... but still pain in my right shoulder and it's bad. I've dislocated my shoulder a couple times a few years ago but it's since healed. For the life of me I can't figure out why my shoulder is hurting me.

[Jarick 5]

Well I popped an advil and got one of those tennis elbow support pads. Seems to help so far. I'll see how it works if I play tonight.

[DarkStar50 680]

As a follow up to my problem last September, it finally went away by late October. It seemed to take forever, though. The tennis elbow/velcro strap helped a lot. I wore it even after the pain went away. I wore it all day at work, too. I still pop an Advil before the game. The Mission Pulse Grip was the stick that started the problem. I just started using it a few weeks ago for stick & puck sessions. The problem has not come back. I cut my sticks a lot, too. I use an 85 flex and cut so much off that I measured it against a ONE90 OPS with the flex marks on the top of the shaft. The 85 goes to 112 after I cut it! However, I snapped the MPG in half the other day taking slapshots so just how stiff is it? The tendinitis is a very uncomfortable injury but it will eventually heal itself.

[BGM 0]

Braces will help tennis elbow but the main thing you need is time and do not do the same motion that caused the injury. That's tough to do since it was hockey that caused it. Strengthening of the tendons is important. You can grab a tennis ball and grip on and off for 5 seconds as many times as you can while doing anything (at the computer, watching TV, etc). There are also some specific exercises you can do with handweights at home that should really help. If you search online you can find some of those.

[opus22 0]

i had a lot of problems with my elbows, i never had it diagnosed as i had no insurance at the time, but im sure it was same thing - tennis elbow. i was playing 4-5 times a week at the time and i was miserable. i couldnt take wrist shots at all, all i could do was half assed stiff armed half-slappers where i moved my hips more than my elbows. i stopped playing with a puck around the house, and i started just sitting back on d. time was the only thing that helped me. taking it easy, playing less, letting it truly subside without reaggravating it. i havent a had a big issue in years, but if i start really practicing my shot hard after not playing a lot i can feel it coming back. the second i do i just get away from the stick. i had it in both elbows, imo from hyperextending both of them repeatedly - one was so sensitive i couldnt let anyone bump me from behind on that side or all or it would flare up. i couldnt work out, do a pushup, hoist a beer.....ok i fought through it on that last one. it just sucked, for me it was on and off for about 3-4 years. wouldnt wish it on anyone. i really shoudl try one of those armbands next time, or maybe in general - does it provide any preventative support?

by the way, it was never related to ops - i never had one during those years. i used ultra lite with focus flexes at the time.

[fastmiele 59]

personally, In my opinion I think some players could use a combination of rest, rehabbing (stregthening) and maybe trying to improve your technique (ie. the blade should be sweeping the ice not slammed into when taking a slap shot).

one is no good without the other. if you are is suffering from tennis elbow and just rest for a year or two, from my own experience the pain will not get worse but the injury will not go away either.

Another suggestion is to go back to wood sticks. Nothing else beats it for dampening vibration, provided you use the right flex.

[DarkStar50 680]

if you are is suffering from tennis elbow and just rest for a year or two, from my own experience the pain will not get worse but the injury will not go away either.

Another suggestion is to go back to wood sticks. Nothing else beats it for dampening vibration, provided you use the right flex.

At this stage in my career(ha ha), I don't have a year or two for rest! If I miss two weeks, it feels like two years. The short term solution to using a wood stick will help. Get a Sher-Wood 5030 all wood. Don't even use a wood stick with a fibreglass reinforced shaft.

[Nick23 0]

Just bumping up this topic to ask what the best precatioary measures are to stop this problem getting worse. I Went from ops' to a vector 5.0 woodie a few sessions back, and today i have just started to get the pain my my left elbow (im a right handed shot). What would you recommend? Im already icing it, any other suggestions?

[fastmiele 59]

Just bumping up this topic to ask what the best precatioary measures are to stop this problem getting worse. I Went from ops' to a vector 5.0 woodie a few sessions back, and today i have just started to get the pain my my left elbow (im a right handed shot). What would you recommend? Im already icing it, any other suggestions?

I personally don't think icing does much. All it does is keep the swelling down and subsides the pain a bit. Your arm is injured.

The best short term fix is to wear those eblow braces for tennis elbows. It does help.

Try a more flexible stick (less pressure on your arms)

[Chadd 916]

Just bumping up this topic to ask what the best precatioary measures are to stop this problem getting worse. I Went from ops' to a vector 5.0 woodie a few sessions back, and today i have just started to get the pain my my left elbow (im a right handed shot). What would you recommend? Im already icing it, any other suggestions?

Lighter flex or cushioned grip

[santiclaws 0]

A guy on my team just had this exact same problem. Has been out for four weeks. Obviously, we've all been teasing him mercilessly about the injury being caused by excessive, ahem, self-gratification.

[Nick23 0]

When you say a cushioned grip Chadd, how would i do that?

[forbs02 20]

Just bumping up this topic to ask what the best precatioary measures are to stop this problem getting worse. I Went from ops' to a vector 5.0 woodie a few sessions back, and today i have just started to get the pain my my left elbow (im a right handed shot). What would you recommend? Im already icing it, any other suggestions?

I personally don't think icing does much. All it does is keep the swelling down and subsides the pain a bit. Your arm is injured.

The best short term fix is to wear those eblow braces for tennis elbows. It does help.

Try a more flexible stick (less pressure on your arms)

Icing aids in healing... when an injured area swells, blood is pooling in the area. By icing you dilate the vessels, reducing the amount of blood that gets to the area. When the ice is removed and the injured area warms up fresh, oxygenated blood rushes to the area to help heal the area. Never underestimate the importance of icing an injury.

[fastmiele 59]

Just bumping up this topic to ask what the best precatioary measures are to stop this problem getting worse. I Went from ops' to a vector 5.0 woodie a few sessions back, and today i have just started to get the pain my my left elbow (im a right handed shot). What would you recommend? Im already icing it, any other suggestions?

I personally don't think icing does much. All it does is keep the swelling down and subsides the pain a bit. Your arm is injured.

The best short term fix is to wear those eblow braces for tennis elbows. It does help.

Try a more flexible stick (less pressure on your arms)

Icing aids in healing... when an injured area swells, blood is pooling in the area. By icing you dilate the vessels, reducing the amount of blood that gets to the area. When the ice is removed and the injured area warms up fresh, oxygenated blood rushes to the area to help heal the area. Never underestimate the importance of icing an injury.

I suppose you are right, heck there must be a reason why baseball pitches put on a pack of ice on their pitching arm after their performance workout.

On the other hand I still think its more important to resolve the factors causing the problem (tennis elbow) instead of treating the after effects.