Elbows
At the elbow joint one finds predominantly the so-called tendon attachment diseases (medical synonyms: insertion tendinopathy, insertion tendinosis, enthesiopathy), which are caused by tensile stress of the tendons surrounding the elbow joint. These include tennis elbow (Epicondylitis humeri radialis), which of course does not refer to the sport that gives it its name, but rather describes the tendon insertion disease of the forearm extensor muscles at the humerus (Epicondylus humeri radialis). A clinical picture which is often found in tennis players, hence the name.
The epicondylus, and thus also the point of pain, is located at the end of the lateral upper arm on a rounded, raised bony prominence that is easy to feel. This is where the forearm extensor muscles come in. Pain at this point moves in the direction of the stretching forearm and is provoked and maintained by the stretching in the wrist.
The main exercise that causes pain is the biceps curl with the long bar. Here, the wrist is turned outwards to the maximum (palm upwards, supination), which causes the forearm extensor muscles to pull in an unfavorable direction. It would be better to use a curved barbell, where a better grip position can be assumed and the maximum supination of the forearm is not reached during the exercise.
In the same way, there is a disease at the base of the forearm flexor muscles at the epicondylus humeri ulnaris (epicondylitis humeri ulnaris = golfer’s arm). The point of pain is found by moving the inner upper arm down towards the elbow joint. Here too, the epicondylus can be palpated well as a rounded, raised bony projection.
Pain in this area is caused, among other things, by exercises with the straight bar in the pronation position (palms down to the floor). The insertion tendinosis of the triceps muscle is located on the back of the elbow. The complaints are particularly caused by triceps pressing, tight bench pressing and forehead pressing.
Here, too, the straight bar plays an important role in the onset of pain, but an improperly executed movement with maximum extension of the elbow joint in the final phase can also be responsible for the symptoms. In extreme cases, the triceps tendon may tear. Wrist
In the wrist area, tendovaginitis of the flexor or extensor muscles predominates, as do symptoms of overstretching the wrist due to extreme overstretching of the wrist, such as in bench press.
The narrow bench press can damage the triangular disc (spoke-side cartilage disc in the wrist). Carpal tunnel syndrome
These are mostly tendon attachment disorders, muscle strains or blockages of the sacroiliac joint (sacroiliac joint, ISG). Many strength athletes, especially beginners, tend to start training without warming up.
Cold muscles, however, are less flexible and resilient, which can easily lead to muscle strain or even a rupture of the muscle fiber. The adductor muscles, the anterior thigh muscles (especially the rectus femoris muscle) and the posterior thigh muscles (especially the biceps femoris muscle) are affected by injuries. The athlete feels a stab-like pain followed by a cramp-like muscle sensation.
The initial measures are based on the PECH scheme (rest, ice, compression, high position). The same muscles can also cause attachment tendinosis of the pelvic ring.These include pain in the ischium (buttocks), in the front (rectus femoris muscle) and inner groin region (adductors). Inguinal hernia
However, groin pain can also be caused by an inguinal hernia.
Hernias of any kind, whether in the region of the groin or the abdominal wall, occur particularly during exercises with a strong increase in internal abdominal pressure (intra-abdominal pressure). These include abdominal muscle training, leg press or knee bending. The same muscles can also cause attachment tendinosis of the pelvic ring.
These include pain in the ischium (buttocks), in the front (rectus femoris muscle) and inner groin region (adductors). Inguinal pain can also be caused by an inguinal hernia. Hernias of any kind, whether in the region of the groin or the abdominal wall, occur particularly during exercises with a strong increase in internal abdominal pressure (intra-abdominal pressure).
These include abdominal muscle training, leg press or knee bending. Evasive movements during maximum effort or improperly performed exercises can lead to a blockage of the sacroiliac joint (ISG) or a malposition of the sacrum. The complaints are often located in the area of the upper buttocks and can radiate into the groin and thigh.
Most malpositions and blockages can be well treated with manual therapy, possibly supported by infiltrations, heat treatments and drug-based pain therapy. A torn meniscus or even a torn cruciate ligament are very rare events and not typical for bodybuilding. A frequent cause of knee pain is a femoropatellar overuse pain (chondromalacia), which can occur especially in knee bends.
In knee bends, the kneecap (patella) is pressed against its sliding surface (femoropatellar sliding bearing). The more the knee joint is flexed, the greater the contact pressure. The patella cartilage suffers under this pressure.
It is therefore advisable neither to bend the knee too much nor to fully extend the knee joint on the leg machine during leg exercises. Otherwise, attachment tendinosis also occurs in the area of the knee joint. The quadriceps tendon at the upper patella insertion and the patellar tendon at the lower patella insertion (patellar tip syndrome) are often affected. Complaints of the ankle and foot joints are very rare and then usually caused by trauma, e.g. by a twisting or a falling weight. Complaints of the ankle joints and feet are very rare and then mostly traumatic, for example due to a twisting of the ankle or a falling weight.
