Hello,

I'm brand new to this forum, and psyched to have found such a huge MA community - normally, for politeness, I'd lurk for a few weeks before posting, but a sempai from my dojo directed me here to ask a question. Any ideas or experiences are welcome, I need some help figuring this out.

I'm studying Shorin Ryu karate, and some Aiki Jujutsu. (3-5 days a week for 2-3 hours, mostly in karate - more like 5X a week lately, since a test is coming).

Years ago, before I learned how to fall, I shattered my radial head in a nasty bike accident. It healed, makes some weird noises and cracks, but overall wasn't a big problem until I began studying martial arts 1.5 years ago.

Turns out I don't have full flexion in that arm while bearing my own full weight (push ups, pull ups); I can do push ups in correct form on a low table, but when I'm fully horizontal the bend just isn't there. So with push ups, I hold the up position on my knuckles in the dojo, and do the angle-altered push ups on my table at home. Not a big deal.

Aiki Jujutsu is the big problem. Because of the skeletal exploitation involved - and so much of it elbow-based - I've ended up progressively more hurt after every Aiki Jujutsu class. If I do two in a week, I can't turn a key or brush my own hair without stupid amounts of pain (and reduced range of motion).

My sensei knows about the old injury, and says I should try to find a way to train around it.

The only thing I've found that trains around it, though, is to present only my left side as uke, which seems unfair to my tori, who then only gets to work one side, too.

The longer I train, the worse, not better it gets (even as I increase my caution) so apparently it's not the kind of weak spot I can build strength around to solve the problem (like knees).

Even the most hardcore workouts and sparring we do in karate doesn't have the same effect on the elbow, since it's not that particular turning-against-the-joint motion. I love the Jujutsu, though, and feel like the two disciplines inform each other in a way that will make me a better budoka. But I don't want to be dumb and stubborn. Or disabled.

Does this sound like the kind of thing that's truly just a physical limitation, and I need to let go of Aiki Jujutsu?

Or have any Jujutsu/Aikido/similar types of techniques folks figured out brilliant ways to train around a damaged elbow?

Long-winded, my apologies. Sure could use some advice, though.

Thanks so much for any thoughts, I appreciate it -

That is a tough call. Most Aikido or Japanese jujitsu practice involves being a uke, where you simply have to present your joints for practice. If you find that telling your partners to "go easy" is not helping, you may want to look into a different art.

I do feel for you, as I have a recurring elbow tendon injury from weight lifting. Perhaps talking to a physical therapist may give you a better idea of what you can and cannot do.

Thank you, Matt - appreciate the sympathy, too; the idea of letting Jujutsu go entirely is making me blue.

Unfortunately I lack insurance for the time being (adjunct professor), but as soon as I have some, I'll ask a PT for ideas (and maybe an MRI to see what's in there - bone shards? tendon/ligament damage?).

Meanwhile, have you found any helpful ways of working with your tendon injury?

Prior to martial arts I suffered from elbow problems due to first splitting it on the corner of a wall getting ready for a Christmas party, then smashing it the year after on the bottom of the swimming pool at my daughter's birthday in December and then the next year getting into a fight outside of the place we had our Christmas party. The bursa sack was busted and there were bone chips inside it. I had to have the sack repair, the chips removed and the elbow bone grinded down so as not to pop the sack. Prior to having the operation it was difficult like you said to do what you are doing and when weight lifting I found it unbareable.

I'd get it x-rayed or get a MRI for sure so that you can continue on with what you love doing. I'm now going in to have my ACL reconstructed with my Patellor Tendon in hopes that I can continue with TKD/BJJ as I sorely would miss this.

Get fixed, get heathly and good luck to you.

I have had to simply stop the weight training excercises that were bothering me the most. Very annoying, but neccessary if I am to remain working out.

Luckily, I have not had the problems with my joints in martial arts. I generally practice in a resistant or "alive" fashion, so I don't "give" people the chance to aggravate the injury. If they do catch me, I tap or otherwise submit. No point in training to the point of injury.

Agreed, don't train with ego and tap when necessary and this will avoide problems. However being thrown around which is part of the training, if that hurts it is hard to avoid it. Until patched up I would suggest tappering your training though if you are like me, the stubborn side usually wins.

Tapping out in submission-grappling works fine, and you're both right that what's re-injuring the elbow is more in the basic repetitions of the simple throws and takedowns in day to day training.

I think I know what I have to do right now, I just don't like it. Jujutsu will still be there when I have health insurance and some help with the elbow, and Karate is there now.

I think I'll also ask about Tai Chi Chuan with sword, since there is a Sifu who offers classes at our dojo, and that training might offer a similar feeling of two arts supplementing each other.

Very grateful for your experience & support, Matt & Dereck, thank you -

In the long run I hope things get better and you can get back to training. Good luck.