J-frame Tendonitis?

[Mzuri]

I have been shooting k-frames and L-frames double action for years. I have just purchased my first j-frame, a 36-7. I have been dry firing it a lot trying to get used to the smaller frame and now I have developed tennis elbow. I have largish hands so the trigger is uncomfortably close to my palm and I wonder if that is the problem. I am going to buy a larger grip and see if that helps.

Has anyone else had this issue? Can a heavy double action trigger give you tendonitis? Or is it just coincidence that I developed tennis elbow right after I bought the 36? I do play tennis, but rarely more than once a week and I have not been playing at the last couple of weeks, so I don't think tennis is the cause.

 

[diyj98]

I don't believe I've ever heard of it, but I don't see why it couldn't. I was pull starting a troublesome chainsaw about three years ago. It caused my tendon to flair up and it still gives me trouble to this day.

 

[RGVshooter]

You're getting old, that's how it starts....

Google "perfect spot number 5" and grab something like Ben Gay or AsperCream or similar and what you want to do is give that spot right under your elbow, on top on the upper forearm a good deep massage. Go lengthwise for about 5-10 min a day. Take ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain (with food). Do this for about a month or so & it should go away.

It's not the gun, its age my friend... I know

Massage Therapy for Tennis Elbow, Wrist Pain

 

[Zipdog]

Don't know any medical answers but get yourself the Delta Ergo grip and you'll be shooting that J frame in no time. Ugly yes, but it will work for your problem better than anything else.

 

[Mzuri]

Thanks. Helpful, albeit depressing, responses. I think I'll try a Hogue grip first and if that does not work I'll go for the Delta. I chose the 36 over a 642 because I liked the way it looked. Delta grip would change that.

 

[nachogrande]

NOTHING SET IN STONE HERE

Now this is just opinion from another "tennis" elbow sufferer. I got it from using a lump hammer left handed. I have been wrong before, but would think something else caused the tendonitis & the J frame aggravated it. The classic "it hurts when I do this/so stop doing that", is not so far off. IMO pain can be a good thing & be the body's way of saying HEY DUMMY we have a problem here, take it easy. FIXES: ice (20 minutes on-20minutes off)/elevation/anti inflammatory meds/ physical therapy, or it can last a very long time & return easy. Repetitive motions with poor body mechanics & too much force/wt are the #1 culprit for me. Would goodyears help? I believe maybe so, but a lot of things will cause pain to an already inflamed/irritated condition. Shoot some 22's with the off hand for a bit. One of those TE wraps with the "ball" that applies pressure to the sore spot should ease the pain a bit.

 

[gnystrom]

Sometimes things happen. Recoil from my Ruger LCP caused a nerve in my middle finger, (yes, my driving finger) to go numb. I modified my grip a bit and all is now well. Let it heal and go back and shoot some more. It could have been just a one time issue.

 

[GTBL]

This is interesting. I too have developed Tennis Elbow shorty after buying a 640 and a 5" 686. I feel it came from the extra weight of the 5" barrel as I am used to a 3" and 4". Could be the 640, though. Sounds crazy I know but I think the thing for me to do is not pick them up for awhile an see if it subsides.

 

[Hithev]

I fully understand your issue with small grips in big hands, but I don't think dry shooting in the absence of any recoil may be responsible for lateral epicondylitis. Even when shooting, I would better imagine a potential finger flexor and/or hand palm pain.
Tennis elbow may develop after overuse of extensor muscles, but sometimes it comes without any apparent cause.
Once you are really sure about the proper diagnosis, on/off ice, local NSAID patch, extensor muscle stretches and rest will help.
Besides some Tylenol, I would avoid oral NSAID due the risk of side effects not counterbalanced by significantly greater efficacy as compared to topics. In a few cases local steroid injection would be rapidly beneficial, but - again - rest is necessary and pain is a defensive regulatory feedback mechanism preventing effort and work some part of the body should not perform. Once the pain subsides, cautious progressive resistive exercising the forearm muscle will help. Best wishes!

 

[rickflst]

Don't know any medical answers but get yourself the Delta Ergo grip and you'll be shooting that J frame in no time. Ugly yes, but it will work for your problem better than anything else.

Exactly. Picked up the Delta ergo for my 638. Still pocket conceals well and I can actually grip it and get decent hits.