Tendinitis from clutch overuse.... [Archive]

Krayy

15th October 2007, 09:19

sAsLEX

15th October 2007, 09:23

or shift through the box as you get up to a 100 quickly and ride the whole way to work at that speed. You should only need 5 up-changes and 5 down-changes this way

Usarka

15th October 2007, 09:36

is you clutch lever set up correctly so that your wrist isnt bent. this makes a big difference to the strain on your wrist/hand.

Karma

15th October 2007, 09:51

Can anyone else see a tui add...

Krayy

15th October 2007, 10:02

is you clutch lever set up correctly so that your wrist isnt bent. this makes a big difference to the strain on your wrist/hand.
Aye...I have it positioned so when I extend my fingers they form a straight line from my forearm to the tip of the finger as it extends over the lever, so there's no bend in the wrist....although it may be limp on other occasions.

crazybigal

15th October 2007, 10:39

I couldnt see that being a problem, the clutch is so light on the vtr.
I got back on ours before we sold it and i was wondering if it was working! no feel to it. unlike the biger bikes with hydro clutch.
But yeah i did notice with the vtr you had alot of gear changing if you wanted to ride it in the rev range to get a boogie on.

I went off to the doctors office as I have these shooting pains across the top of my left index and middle fingers, hoping to get a doctors note for a weeks R&R for a work related injury.

I work on Unix based computer systems so theres a lot of typing weird characters (|/~&$% etc), plus I tend to do an odd maneuver when using copy/paste where I use my thumb to hold down the left Ctrl key then reach across it with my index finger to hit C,X & Z.

So we're chatting away about things I do during the day, and I mention that I ride the might VTR every day and he figures that the tendinitis is from using the clutch rather than typing. Hands me a pack of Voltaren, an ACC form for some Physio and sends me on my merry, albeit painful, way.

Bottom line, I need to get a bigger bike so I don't have to change gears so often...:niceone:

...or do clutchless shifts on the way up the 'box.

imdying

15th October 2007, 10:51

You could potentially move your clutch to the right hand bar and work it with your thumb like OAB does (obviously for different reasons).

You'll need a lighter smaller (thinner clamp as much as anything) clutch perch, so go to a bike shop and get a nice little mountain bike brake lever perch for a few bucks. Then you'll either be able to reroute your cable across, or it'll need a little extra length. If you need the extra length, then I know Apex Engineering in Hamilton can accomplish that for you.

Might sound like a weird idea, but I know what OOS is like, so I know you'll understand :yes:

Usarka

15th October 2007, 10:54

peasea

15th October 2007, 11:06

and just cause the doctor said so i wouldnt rule out the typing aspect. it may be that acc as more likely to reject the claim if its a work oos issue rather than a biking one. get your workstation sorted, take regular breaks etc etc.

orrrr......

Don't go to work, ride more and build up the muscles in your clutch hand. Priorities!

vifferman

15th October 2007, 11:10

and just cause the doctor said so i wouldnt rule out the typing aspect. it may be that acc as more likely to reject the claim if its a work oos issue rather than a biking one.
It's rather telling that ACC changed the name of the affliction from "occupational overuse injury" to "occupational overuse syndrome".
Personally, I have doubts about it being from your clutch, unless you've got the lever set at a wonky angle. Even though I have arthritis, I've never had any problems from my clutch, which is farkin hard to pull in, and I usually leave it in at traffic lights.
Despite that, check the angle: your arm and hand should be in a straight line, and you shouldn't be pulling in the clutch lever too near the pivot point. If your clutch is properly lubed and adjusted, the clutch action should be light.

xwhatsit

15th October 2007, 11:11

I went off to the doctors office as I have these shooting pains across the top of my left index and middle fingers, hoping to get a doctors note for a weeks R&R for a work related injury.

I work on Unix based computer systems so theres a lot of typing weird characters (|/~&$% etc), plus I tend to do an odd maneuver when using copy/paste where I use my thumb to hold down the left Ctrl key then reach across it with my index finger to hit C,X & Z.

I do most of my work at a Unix terminal too, using bash. One tip that increased my left-hand comfort a lot was to configure the Caps-Lock key to be another Ctrl. Other people swap them around, so you still have Caps-Lock, it's just where Ctrl normally is, but I never use Caps-Lock. Having the Ctrl key there is great, you don't have to do the odd thumb-wraparound (I did that too), it's just where your little finger is, no stretching at all. Give it a go, trust me.

This is how the old-style Unix keyboards were set up, and presumably what the designers of programs like vi and bash and emacs (if you take the cock) had in mind. It makes a big difference, and not much time to adjust.

I use a GNOME-based Linux distribution, so this was easy to set up in the Keyboard Preferences GUI, but if you don't use that, you can set it up as an X-server preference easily enough, by modifying your login script.

What do you use?

Krayy

15th October 2007, 12:15

*snip*
What do you use?
Oddly enough, I use the right hand, which is why I'm a bit amazed that it's the left that's gone wonky. :banana:

I did try sitting on the right, and also using the left, but that only put my aim off and got the carpet all messed up :(

NZsarge

15th October 2007, 12:21

I went off to the doctors office as I have these shooting pains across the top of my left index and middle fingers, hoping to get a doctors note for a weeks R&R for a work related injury.

I work on Unix based computer systems so theres a lot of typing weird characters (|/~&$% etc), plus I tend to do an odd maneuver when using copy/paste where I use my thumb to hold down the left Ctrl key then reach across it with my index finger to hit C,X & Z.

So we're chatting away about things I do during the day, and I mention that I ride the might VTR every day and he figures that the tendinitis is from using the clutch rather than typing. Hands me a pack of Voltaren, an ACC form for some Physio and sends me on my merry, albeit painful, way.

Bottom line, I need to get a bigger bike so I don't have to change gears so often...:niceone:

...or do clutchless shifts on the way up the 'box.

Can't see it being the clutch in all honesty, recon the Doc might be dim....Either that or you could get a new clutchless Yamaha FJR 1300:niceone: Besides, everyone need a Yamaha in thier life.:niceone::cool:

xwhatsit

15th October 2007, 12:22

What the fark -- no wonder you're all cack-handed :lol:

Maybe it is your clutch.

Krayy

15th October 2007, 12:34

What the fark -- no wonder you're all cack-handed :lol:

Maybe it is your clutch.
I'll try remapping the Caps Lock key, but then how would I shout at people in the chat channels? I'll remap both of them then relabel them with Twink.

Donor

15th October 2007, 13:21

...so did you get the week off??

Dammit man, omit not the important details!

Krayy

15th October 2007, 14:28

...so did you get the week off??

Dammit man, omit not the important details!
Nope...I should have sold it better :girlfight:

ambler

15th October 2007, 15:34

It sounds like the clutch is not so much the problem. I have a bike which gives me this kind of pain in the left hand after an hour or so, and believe me if it was the clutch doing it you wouldn't have any doubt about it. Clutchless shifts and rotating the lever position so that your arm-hand is straight as you have done should help, the only other thing I can suggest if you are actually feeling pain while using the clutch is to pull it in with your whole arm, instead of squeezing with your hand. I find myself doing this naturally after a while... unfortunately can't do the same thing when you let it out because you need more control, but pulling it in like that is no problem.

surfchick

15th October 2007, 17:25

I went off to the doctors offi...Bottom line, I need to get a bigger bike so I don't have to change gears so often...:niceone:

...or do clutchless shifts on the way up the 'box.

uh oh...don't get a ducati...hmm heavy clutch awaits if you do :) worth it tho :devil2:

skidMark

15th October 2007, 17:47

ummmmm....clutch.....whats a clutch LOL

beyond

15th October 2007, 17:50

I see another person in sore need of a GSX1400 :)

erik

15th October 2007, 18:02

... and you shouldn't be pulling in the clutch lever too near the pivot point.

I want to emphasise this.

I was having problems with my clutch hand getting sore. Riding down SH22 to ngaruawahia, it'd start feeling sore around ngaruawahia and then by the time I got back to auckland, it'd be so sore I couldn't pull the lever in.

I think the main things that I did that helped were switching from my padded winter gloves (dririder nordic) which made it a little more difficult to bend my fingers to non-padded gloves, and also moving the clutch lever so that the perch was as far from the rubber grip as possible.

Sounds like your pain is slightly different to mine, but I suggest trying moving the lever mounting so that you're grabbing the lever as far away from the pivot as practical, it'll give you better leverage and reduce the force required. Maybe it'll help.

dwnundabkr

16th October 2007, 17:58

bugga try the clutch on a buell no assisted here straight cable you certainly no it after a few hours hard ridin

Strider

16th October 2007, 18:07

Can anyone else see a tui add...

Yeah Right

steveb64

19th October 2007, 22:56

I went off to the doctors office as I have these shooting pains across the top of my left index and middle fingers, hoping to get a doctors note for a weeks R&R for a work related injury.

I work on Unix based computer systems so theres a lot of typing weird characters (|/~&$% etc), plus I tend to do an odd maneuver when using copy/paste where I use my thumb to hold down the left Ctrl key then reach across it with my index finger to hit C,X & Z.

So we're chatting away about things I do during the day, and I mention that I ride the might VTR every day and he figures that the tendinitis is from using the clutch rather than typing. Hands me a pack of Voltaren, an ACC form for some Physio and sends me on my merry, albeit painful, way.

Bottom line, I need to get a bigger bike so I don't have to change gears so often...:niceone:

...or do clutchless shifts on the way up the 'box.

Try a 'powerball'! - http://www.powerballs.co.nz - I got one a while back - helps with rsi type problems, and stops forearm 'pump up' when you've got the death grip on the bars! I even tested it by just using it with my right hand for a couple of weeks - then rode the Ducati into the Cold Kiwi rally site (it HATES gravel) - death grip on the bars - left arm pumped up - right arm was fine! Got put on to them by my nieces hubbie - he swore by it to stop arm pump when he was MX'ing.

stevewederell

6th June 2008, 19:40

Snap, have just got the same problem...well similar. I'm having debilitating pains in my middle three tendons from my first joint to just past my wrist.

Started to happen after about 1 hour riding my mates VTR250 (was getting used to it before sitting full licence that day). About 3/4 through the test I was cringing and just praying it would end...then I had to ride it back home!

Took new bike, CB600 next day (today) and was still sore after a night being rested but was a lot better after work. I'm not wondering whether it was just the angles and setup.

Maybe I just need a large bottle of those HTFU pills I hear so much about??

Sketchy_Racer

6th June 2008, 19:41

yeap HTFU pills required.

Oh nice choice of bike btw. They do great wheelies. Change the handle bars though!

breakaway

6th June 2008, 19:47

I thought repetitive strain injuries get WAY worse if you just ignore them. Treat that shit as soon as teh symptoms show, don't put it off.

Zoolander

6th June 2008, 20:21

Funny thing, I got diagnosed with tendonitis in my left wrist, due in no small part to the physical nature of my job. I wasn't riding my Yamaha much because the low bars caused quite a bit of pain over a relatively short ride. So I sold it and bought the S4R which has higher bars, but a heavier clutch. So been riding quite a bit recently, and I'm sure using the clutch has helped the wrist recover, to the point where the tendonitis has all but gone. Considering a few months ago I couldn't even stretch my hand up above my head without shooting pains and then hours of pins and needles, I would say I am pretty pleased with the result. Hmmmmm physio or riding a Ducati, some choice huh?

pritch

6th June 2008, 23:45

I went off to the doctors office as I have these shooting pains across the top of my left index and middle fingers,

Was this your doctor or the company doctor?

Failing a miracle cure you could consider the new offerings from Honda and Aprilia who now offer autos. Or even the version of the FJR1300 that has some sort of auto clutch.

erik

7th June 2008, 00:11

I'm not wondering whether it was just the angles and setup.

Lately I've been wondering if my clutch hand pain was because I had the levers positioned quite low. With the lever low, I think I was grabbing it more towards the tips of my fingers. I've adjusted them to a more normal position (maybe that's why manufacturers position them like they do...) and when squeezing the lever, it's positioned closer to the first joint on my fingers. I think this ought to reduce the stress on the tendons. I've got to change the clutch actuator/lever thing at the other end of the cable back to normal and then go for a longer ride to see how my hand copes with the higher positioned levers. I had increased the actuator/lever length to reduce the force at the clutch lever, but it also means there's less movement at the clutch so if the cable is a bit loose when the engine is cold, when it has warmed up the lever doesn't create enough movement to fully disengage the clutch. So it'd be good if I could go back to the standard actuator/lever (also it'd be good because then I won't have to modify my new sv650's clutch as well).

PrincessBandit

7th June 2008, 08:27

This has been quite interesting reading. I type quite a lot and don't get hand/wrist problems from that; I do get what I suspect is rsi in my pinkies when I do a lot of piano playing. With my bike the only time I get a painful left hand is when doing a lot of slow speed crawling - clutch in, release, clutch in, release ......You get the picture. Funnily enough I don't get this problem when faced with the same situation on Balu's Burgman. Gee, I wonder why that might be. Although because his is such a fat-ass coming to a complete stop on my bike is much more comfortable as at least my feet aren't on total tippytoe to do it!!!

Spuds1234

7th June 2008, 09:28

Make sure your lever's are set at such an angle that when you go to grab them your hand a and wrist are in a straight line.

If there is a big kink in your wrist your doing yourself damage and making things harder for yourself.

crash harry

7th June 2008, 11:32

FWIW, I sometimes get tendonitis in my left hand, and there's no question that it's caused by the clutch lever. There doesn't seem to be any pattern that I've noticed as to when it happens though, and it usually only lasts a week or so. I guess it may not be so much of an RSI thing as some sort of injury that recovers within that sort of time, but it's bloody painful and it makes riding a bastard. Which is not a good thing seeing as how my bike is my only transport.

I've had it on all my bikes I think - some of them have had nice cluthes or heavy clutches, higher or lower bars, levers in different orientations, it doesn't seem to make much difference.

What does seem to help most is to give it a rest as much as possible and let it recover - a bit of deep heat, keep your hand warm, and try not to use the clutch as much - clutchless upshifts (I do now anyway which may be part of why it hasn't recurred recently), and if it hurts to use it in a particular way avoid it. I have been reduced to pulling the clutch with all 4 fingers and no thumb on the bars - just using my hand like a hook and pulling on the lever with my whole arm. But as I say, that's because I have no other choice to get to work.

FWIW, HTFU pills don't work on this kind of injury - but treating your hand carefully will help a lot. Those stress ball things or grip-strength excersises may help, I've had mixed results.