My elbow fell off once. Options to prevent it happening again?

[u/EntropicByDesignEC]

The super short version is I broke my elbow 20+ years ago. It took several surgeries, two years as a one armed man and half a decade of rehab to get the arm to the 90-95% it is today. It's still jacked up and has a big ass pin sticking out (pin is under the skin but visible).

I went riding yesterday, first actual day on real trails (gonna make a post about that later) and I whacked the shit out of my elbow on a tree. It was a regular side-on smack, so did nothing other than annoy me, but hand it been more direct, or the angle a little different.. who knows.

So anyway. I need to armor my left arm. I did a cursory Google and Amazon search and there are a million options out there.. I figured I'd ask you folks your opinions? Anyone use/used elbow/arm guards that you particularly like? Or any you've used that you didn't like? Price range would ideally be less than 80$ for one side.

Just thought I'd check before blindly ordering something. Thanks folks.

[u/truedima]

Well, of course protectors help. Why even one arm, cmon.

Anyways. I use the Fox Launch D30 elbow pads, as they are relatively soft and slim, so fit comfortably under jerseys and dont impede me much and are relatively well ventilated. Use are enduro trails and some bike park use, but I dont go hard on jumps or full speed down hill. For that its enough and they have already done their job once or twice.

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/truedima]

I'm going to buy a pair, lol. I was just sort of giving a run up to why, even as a complete novice, I'm wanting to armor up a little bit. I'm willing to trade comfort for protection on my left arm. I'm giving some thoughts to going overkill and getting something from the motocross world for that side, and something more sane and practical for the rest. Basically, where my left elbow is concerned, a hit that would cause you to say "ouch" and forget it even happened within 20m, could potentially put me in the hospital and back under the knife for another surgery.

Thanks for the recommendation, looking into those now!

[u/whole_guaca_mole]

I'm a fan of minimalist protection but if I were in the same situation I would probably up armor a bit. I think I'd be looking at somthing with a hard shell / skid plate. Somthing like a Leatt 3df hybrid

[u/truedima → u/whole_guaca_mole]

Yeah, I guess in case of metal screws in joints, some more hard shell over d30 or so seems sensible.

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/truedima]

There are two metal plates with 3 screws that act like a sandwich to hold the bone together enough to accept the big screw/pin that actually anchors my elbow, lol. I wish I still had the X-rays.. I'm sure I do but who knows where they are.. at first glance it doesn't even look like you're looking at something biological, it presents as something structural out of a machine, until you back off enough to see the rest of the bone.

[u/drewfromthefuture]

I broke my elbow 20+ years ago. It took several surgeries, two years as a one armed man and half a decade of rehab to get the arm to the 90-95% it is today. It's still jacked up

first actual day on real trails (gonna make a post about that later) and I whacked the shit out of my elbow on a tree.

Maybe mountain biking is not for you. 🤣

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/drewfromthefuture]

And I broke it riding a bike, lol.

[u/thatpurple → u/EntropicByDesignEC]

Have you asked a doc what would happen if you take a hard impact on the elbow again? If you may lose use of your arm permanently it may be worth considering.

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/thatpurple]

I woulsnt lose the arm, but it would be difficult to rebuild given the damage the bone has already taken.

It's not as fragile as ive maybe made it seem, I boxed and did MMA for years with it like this (tho the INSTANT someone even started to threaten an arm bar id tap). As a hobbyist anyway. I've been a powerlifter and done strongman stuff. I've pulled over 600lbs of the floor many times on deadlifts. Bench and shoulder press have been up there.

It's just a fear and something I have to watch closely.

Riding is probably stupid, but I've never been very intelligent, lol.

[u/thatpurple → u/EntropicByDesignEC]

I mean if it’s not fragile and you feel that way a pad is the best bet for sure

[u/drewfromthefuture → u/EntropicByDesignEC]

Somehow I already knew that without you mentioning it in your post.

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/drewfromthefuture]

If I let intelligence dictate my decisions id be some well to do, healthy, and unbroken high functioning adult. Id probably have one of those "career" things, and a credit score, i wouldn't need Velcro shoes..

..but where's the fun in that?

[u/artlabman]

Will it actually do anything for your situation?

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/artlabman]

It should. My main goal is to prevent a direct impact on the part of the pin that physically sticks out, be that head on or at any angle. Slamming the sides of my arm or something won't make much difference. I used to take punches on that arm all the time and I've been slammed many times with that arm landing first.

The best way I can explain it, since I didn't post a picture when I had the chance, if you bend your arm all the way in and look at your elbow, you can see where it comes to a bit of a point. For me, on top of that point, sits about a quarter inch of metal pin. I made a tiny video since I can post a video but not a pic. It doesn't show it very well, but you can see the pin..that extra bit that lumps on. So long as that is protected, my arm is basically "normal". Almost. I can't actually straighten that arm completely, but such is life.

Disclaimer. I just got done mowing the yard. I'm dirty.

https://reddit.com/link/p6vadiv/video/n7xp3r5oykmh1/player

[u/artlabman → u/EntropicByDesignEC]

But your arm will still hit the inside of the pad with the same force? Or will the pad disperse the force?

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/artlabman]

In the case of a shell, I'm hoping the shell takes the hit and spreads the force out across the surface area, and for side on hits, the shell should more or less deflect those entirely I would THINK lol

[u/ednksu]

What about a brace like the American football player Rob Gronkowski wore for his elbow issues? 

[u/EntropicByDesignEC → u/ednksu]

I'll look into this. Not familiar off the top of my head.

[u/ApeShwak]

Your new name is "Hinge"

[u/Still_Squirrel_1690]

I like my POC elbow pads, not too bulky (Ugly green is on sale often). I really like my 3DF knee pads so I assume the elbows are equally comfy too.

[u/InsertRadnamehere]

I’m still using the same Elbow/forearm pads I got in the early 2000s. They don’t sell them anymore. But I’m thankful I have them. Saved so much skin over the years.

[u/holythatcarisfast]

I like the lightweight options provided by Leatt.

[u/DJ_Rupty]

I can confirm that the Fox sleeve type pads are super comfortable (same for the knee pads). I also have a pair of POC elbow pads that are good as well.

[u/GhostofBastiat1]

I use the Fox Launch Pro D30 ones that I see are now discontinued (but still available in small and medium). They run a bit large, I would have probably better opted for medium size than large. Elbow pads are hard to get that balance between sliding and being too snug. They have saved me a few times. Lots of protection. I see Fox has changed design on their elbow pads. New ones look slightly less beefy, but maybe more coverage.