Tendonitis in the Adductor

[Li'l Bebe]

I think I might have tendonitis in my right adductor. (I'm a righty) Whenever I recover from a lunge, it hurts like a beast, and makes it very difficult to do decent footwork. At first I didn't think much of it, but it's been happening more and more, and now I even feel mild pain whenever I advance, or even if I move wrong when I'm not fencing. I talked with my coach, and she said that I might be allowing my knee to go too far forward (more over my foot or toes instead of my ankle) when I lunge, and so it's straining it. I'm trying to correct that form problem, but it's really shortened my lunge. The other day it was so bad I could barely fence. I try to remember to stretch and stuff, but it's not really helping. Any advice?

[sloper]

I'd go see a physical therapist. But not just any one. Find out what physical therapy office college or other competitive athletes go to near you and go see them.
A good physical therapist can be a big help. Show them your footwork and your shoes so they can see the wear patterns. When you do footwork for them, remember that slow, "this is what fencing look likes" footwork often isn't the same as real bouting footwork - especially when it comes to lunging and recovering. So be prepared to do some faster, more realistic actions to give the therapists a better idea of what you need to be able to do.


Best of luck,
Susan

[Be_Like_Water]

I had a similar problem, and it was due to insufficient stretching--talk to your doctor about the possibility of "Iliotibial band tendinitis" ("ITB tendinitis"). If you have lateral pain around the knee and/or up the outer quadricep, you may likely have it. Cyclists get it frequently, as do runners and fencers, because it is a difficult area to stretch. Good luck!

[Boo Boo]

Yes, definitely as previous advice - get a GODD sports physio recommended and go and see them: they will hopefully be able to tell you exactly what it is and give you exercises to help improve it.

In the mean time:
- make sure you always warm-up before you stretch (cold stretching will not do you any good), then stretch. "Trying to remember" is not doind you any favours...
- Icing it after fencing may well help to reduce inflamation and pain (certainly wont hurt!). Either get ice from an ice machine in a bag (with a t-shirt or something wrapped around it to avoid cold burn) or get a refreezable gel pack (my favourite since you can mould these round the limb better...). Ice the area for 15 minutes then take the ice off. If you feel you want to do it again, ice again for about 15 minutes an hour later (don't just leave the pack on for and hour...).

Working on your form is a very good thing to do - sounds as though that is what is aggrevating it. Long lunges can be good, but are not the be all and end all of everything.... a short, fast, accelerated lunge can be just as good. Concenrtrating on getting your lunges shorter may be the way to go, although you may want to reduce the amount that you lunge for a while: remove lunging from your free-fencing altogether for a few weeks, then gradually re-introduce it in... (no matter what your problem, it may need some rest so that it can recover properly...)

Most of all, as first written, go find a good sports physio

Good luck, sounds frustrating...

Boo

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I've got the same problem. For relief, rest it, ice it, stay off the strip for a week or two. Get on a strengthening regimen for your adductors. I took a month off from lunging to work on my adductors using leg raises and squats. Mind you, my lunge was crap when I got back to using it, but sometimes as an athlete, you have to move 1 step backward to move 2 steps forward. With your lunge, make sure your butt isnt sagging way below your knees, as it can put additional stresses on your adductors.

Do a really thorough warm up before you fence, atleast a half hour. Make sure to stay hydrated too, as dehydration increases the risk of muscle sprains.

[Boo Boo]

With your lunge, make sure your butt isnt sagging way below your knees, as it can put additional stresses on your adductors.

Also, not very sightly....