Hi nation!

I have this pain that has really been bothering me for the past two weeks. I noticed it only hurts when I do pullups, hammer curls, and slightly hurts with regular curls. It only hurts when pulling heavier weights. I remember @scottherman mentioning a similar injury in a video from doing deadlifts. Wondering how I should go about my recovery, and what exercises I can do to get some benefit without completely discarding exercises that build my lats and biceps. HOw can I build my lats if pulldowns or pullups are out of the questions. What about curls? Hammer curls probably wouldn't be such a setback I suppose....

The pain is on the opposite side of my elbow right about where the forearm connects with the biceps. I am thinking the brachioradialis?

If it is in this area:

then it might be the tendons. But can also be the muscle's outter part.

I'd keep them still for a few days and see if it gets better. Inflamed muscle and tendons are both really hard to calm down (especially tendons when it turns into a chronical tendonitis). So rest them a few days and see if it gets better - if not have it checked please.

PS: you had created this thread 2 times - i have removed the double.

@crood, if im following that picture I believe it is the lateral distal bicep tendon. It only hurts under weight, pressure and pulling. If i extend my arm, or just move it for daily activites it's fine. I will discontinue the motions that are bothering me the best I can and especially limit any weight lifting with them motions.  Its so odd because I can't do pullups, or hammer curls. I can do dumbbells rows, but cant do barbell rows. 

Hammer curls and dumbbell rows almost seem to be a similar motion yet hammers hurt like hell! Thank you for removing my thread, not sure why it went twice.

Leaving it alone for a while is the best option.

Continously 'testing' it to see what would hurt or what goes and what not is just stressing it more. I know it's hard but give it a chance to heal and hopefully it's gone in a few days. If not - i stick with what i said - get it checked :)

And yeah different exercises do a different load or pull on the muscle area and or tendons. Even just a different handposition on them can make a difference between why one is bothering that spot and the other might not be felt much.

Pullups and hammercurls in certain concentrate a lot on biceps flexion (contraction to the peak), thusly hurt. On top of that pullups have your whole bodyweight hanging below, not a good idea when something in your arms is hurting.

I'd concentrate for a few days on your abs and legs and leave your arms alone =) don't worry just giving your arms a few days rest won't make you shrink into a muscle-less person :) hehe

Kevin,

I would recommend a couple of things:

First and foremost refrain from all exercises that are causing pain. Second, see a sports medicine doctor and get an unltrasound or MRI to confirm what is happening in your arm. Tendons and ligaments have very little blood supply and need a lot more time to heal than soft tissue which has copious blood supply.

I would also start increasing your Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet via eggs, fatty fish, nuts, and flaxseed to reduce the inflammation and eat more sulphur containing foods (garlic, onions) to supply the needed building blocks for tendon repair. You need to take this injury serious as it can lead to tendon rupture which requires surgery and will take anywhere from 6-12 months to regain full strength and functionality assuming you have no complications from the surgery.

John

@crood and @jmboiardi I will take your advice.  I noticed I dont feel any strain on my tendons doing bicep curls or underhand pullups so thats a place, no pain what so ever with that motion.  I do notice that its not just one part of the distal bicep tendon but its on the bicep tendon on the forearm and on the bicep itself. Now that I know which motions disturb that area I will be avoiding them. I will try to consume some extra fats in my diet, furthermore I've been trying to add them anyhow for extra calories sense they are so dense.