I hurt my elbow practicing jiu jitsu. I was in a kimura and my elbow popped. Any idea what happened?

Question

My partner had me in a kimura while I was in his side control and my arm was almost fully extended and my elbow popped. It hurt when I tried grappling again, and hurt pretty bad the next day and was swollen. It has most of it mobility but i can't extend it all the way. I don't have health care so I can't get it checked out. Can anybody help me out?

Answer 1

Once you know that the submission is locked, and you can't escape, there is not point is seeing how far back your arm can go, you should just tap.  I accidentally injured someone who decided that it wasn't cool to tap, and me, thinking that I am not pulling the arm bar far enough heard a pop.  I felt really bad but it is not the submitter's responsibility, because they do not know how you feel or how deep the submission is.  when you know you can't escape, then just tap.

idk what is wrong with your arm and no one could tell for sure over the internet.  But if you heard a pop, then the chances are your joint may be broken or cracked.

Answer 2

Could be a lot of things...Popped tendon, hair line fracture, slight dislocation, etc. The fact that it was swelling means it torqued more than it should have been.

It may not heal on its own with ice and rest. I would bite the bullet and get it checked out at a hospital. It may cost quite a bit without insurance for the exam and X-ray but it will be worth it if something is torn or broken.

Answer 3

I've been told there is a little "capsule" of some sort on the underside of your arm at the elbow and it can be bursted and cause problems like that but it will heal pretty soon. Nothing serious from what I understand.

Answer 4

Short answer: hyperextension (what you described) or hyperflexion (what kimura would normally do to the elbow if not done properly/safely)

As for the cause.  Lots of things.  First, improper nutrition and supplementation for joint health.  Second, lack of warming up properly for the techniques practiced.  Third, inappropriate resistance to the applied technique.  Fourth, poor application of the technique by your training partner.  Fifth, inexperienced partner that was incapable of feeling the stress on the joint. Lastly, but not least for certain, lack of an instructor experienced enough to prevent this from happening in the first place by covering everything I just mentioned beforehand.

So now what?

Give that arm a break.  Not literally, but do give it a rest until it heals.  That could take a few weeks to a couple of years.  Don't immobilize it necessarily, but do not train with it.  Do not extend it more than is comfortable until it is healed and even then do so gently as you rebuild it.

You should be eating properly and taking supplements for joint health.  Avoid inflammatory foods (wheat/gluten, dairy, sugars, nightshades and citrus are primary suspects)  Get plenty of good protein and vegetables. (Organic is always best)  Carbs are debatable and lengthy to go into with little value to what we are presently discussing.

Supplements you should add to your diet include a high dose Buffered Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Mixed tocopherols only, nothing less), Fish Oil/Omega-3's (2-3 large ones nightly), Primrose Oil/Omega 6's (1-2 large ones nightly).  There are others as well, but these are a good start.

There are also topical salves and ointment that could be used to speed the healing and repair process while reducing the pain.

Ideally, you should speak to your instructor (please tell me you have one) about your injury for guidance if you have not already done so.  More ideally, bite the bullet and get in to get it looked at so you do not risk further or even permanent injury.

Answer 5

Your partner applied too much pressure maybe?

It could be a bone, ligament or tendon.

(If you were resisting there could also be muscular damage.)

A WORD TO THE WISE: Your post is an excellent example of why a person should not study a martial art if they do not have medical insurance.

The kind of first aid and long term care depends on what you damaged. If you can not get it checked out, about the only thing that anybody can advise is to REST IT.

If you do not get it checked out by a doctor, there is a chance of PERMANENT damage.

Answer 6

Uh thats pretty weird, since the Kimura is a shoulder lock. Maybe he caught you in a straight arm lock? whatever the case  your body is telling you it is hurt , so listen to it! What is now possibly a minor injury can become a serious injury , if you do not allow your joints to heal and become 100%. I am not a doctor , and am not educated enough to give you tips on how to fix your elbow so i wont say any  thing. But dude , not smart to be practicing one of the most dangerous martial arts in the world , and not have insurance.....