Ache in arm/wrist/hand

[LosingFocus]

Been doing my simple on/off 9 mile track a few mornings now, and Ive noticed that Im getting an ache in my left wrist area. I say area as is a bit of the arm that is next to the wrist, the wrist and the bottom of the hand by the wrist. Almost like a bone ache.

Any ideas? Just general unfitness?

 

[EdgEy]

Do you have front sus?
If not, probably best to get a pair of padded gloves - can get a decent pair for less than a tenner, cuts out a lot of the vibration.

It may be leaning forward a bit too much and putting weight on the wrist.

 

[LosingFocus]

Thanks EdgEy. Got front sus (well, full sus) and padded gloves on! Not sure about putting my weight on it, as its my left wrist and if anything I put more pressure on the right. Very odd.

 

[Cringles]

I've had this before to. Only in my right wrist. Too the point, that sometimes I get slight ''pins & needles'' in my hand. But it only ever happens the odd time on, 40 mile rides.

 

[coffeejo]

I've suffered from this a bit and find that the doing all of the following stops it:

• I always wear padded gloves, even though I now have cycling mitt tan lines!
• I avoid holding the handlebars too tightly and if it's safe to do so, loosen my grip so that all the muscles and tendons are relaxed
• Look at the position of your wrist and arm as you're cycling - I find that it helps to keep them in a straight line
• Following on from the above, I've adjusted the angle of my left gears and brake levers so I use minimum force to change gear with my thumb

If it doesn't go away, go and see your GP!

 

[Philk]

If you start to feel that your left is getting weaker, go see the GP, as this with the symptoms your describing fit Carpal tunnel syndrome.
I suffer from this and found that sitting more upright helped alot.

 

[funnymummy]

If you start to feel that your left is getting weaker, go see the GP, as this with the symptoms your describing fit Carpal tunnel syndrome.
I suffer from this and found that sitting more upright helped alot.

It could well be Carpal Tunnel... I had an op last year on my left thumb & have problems with my CP ever since... Excat sort of symptoms you've described - I have also found that riding one of my bikes makes it worse, can't even feel my left hand for days after a long ride, so no more drops bars for me

 

[LosingFocus]

Yeah, the hand feels kinda numb today.

 

[snailracer]

Probably too much weight on the hands. Human arms/hands aren't really built for supporting weight, not since humans started walking upright, anyway .

You can reduce weight on the arms by moving the handlebars up and/or back towards your torso, or sliding the saddle towards the rear of the bike.

 

[LosingFocus]

I fitted some bar ends today (been meaning to for a week or so anyway), so will see if moving my grip about will help.

Thanks all!

 

[funnymummy]

I have had my bike tweaked & adjusted, tried every angle with the drops, had bits altered, thicker bar tape, gel padding, new bits added, tried 3 differenet stems - For short rides i'm ok, but anything over 35 miles or more than about 3 hours leaves me in agony.
But I can ride my MummyTrailerTowing bike all day - with a good 10 stone on the back & not have a problem, So have sadly had to accept that riding on drop bars just isn't me for me any longer...
My Dawes is now listed on Ebay & i'm picking up a Spesh Sirrus Elite next week

 

[snailracer]

Flat bar? Try ergonomic grips - they help your wrists stay straight, worked fairly well for me but not as well as raising the bar 6 inches and fitting swept-back bars.