Likely Injuries in Judo

**doofaloofa** · Posted On: 12/09/2011 5:20pm

Originally Posted by Sorekara

Sounds like you spend too much time turtled up.

Bah humbug!

Originally Posted by Lu Tze

I've had friction/mat burns on my feet, armpits, around my neck and on my damn face before... but never elbows.

What were you doing?

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

i'm going to guess he was doing mat pulls.

If mat pulls are dragging myself along with just forearms , yes. Competative mat pulls are just asking for PAIN. Got burns on the tops of my toes from the same exersize once aswell

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 12/09/2011 7:18pm

Originally Posted by doofaloofa

If mat pulls are dragging myself along with just forearms , yes. Competative mat pulls are just asking for PAIN. Got burns on the tops of my toes from the same exersize once aswell

yeah those are mat pulls. i have heard stories of japanese judo students doing mat pulls until their elbows bled if that puts it into perspective.

to me it sounds like you may be using only your elbows to pull yourself. i would suggest trying to use your entire forearm from fists to elbows to pull yourself. i also wear ankle supports (mostly because i have arthritic ankles, but also because they protect my insteps from mat burn during mat pulls.) i try to keep my toes just off the mat, but if i keep my feet off the mat, then sensei notices and yells at me :)

**Lindz** · Posted On: 12/09/2011 8:13pm

Don't you use your feet for those?

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 12/09/2011 8:40pm

Originally Posted by Lindz

Don't you use your feet for those?

looks like some people do, but at my dojo we don't

**Sorekara** · Posted On: 12/10/2011 2:33am

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

looks like some people do, but at my dojo we don't

Damn! From that video I can completely see how someone can get burns on their elbows. You're not supposed to pull yourself up with your elbows. Your whole forearm is used, just as you said.

It seems easier to dig your elbows in. You'll pay later obviously.

**doofaloofa** · Posted On: 12/10/2011 3:35am

Of coarse the injury occoured because I was to proud to be beaten by the young fellas at the club, so I went as fast as I could, sacrificing my personal safety...but I won!

The use of the feet is also frowned upon at our club, but I might put in a bit of toe action when no one is looking

**doofaloofa** · Posted On: 9/22/2012 11:49am

Returned to judo after a summer lay off to become a cage fighter

After the class I noticed that I had skinned three knucles!

Twas sore for days

**Dougpen** · Posted On: 9/24/2012 3:40pm

Nice thread I am starting Judo for the first time this Friday.

**BKR** · Posted On: 9/27/2012 4:45pm

Originally Posted by ghosttraingray

Thanks for your replies. I'll be checking out some classes with a friend soon. I'll get a feeling for it, and I'll try my best to stay within my limits. I'm not in shape currently, so I will definitely take it easy and ramp it up piece by piece, day by day...

While I'm on the topic, are there any particularly good ways to build stronger joints/bones? Particular exercises, foods or supplements? Additionally, is weight training advisable in tandem with judo? I am interested in becoming a strong person!

Any replies are greatly appreciated!

EDIT: @philmgriffin Knee injuries eh? Do tell.

Best thing is to find a club where they will train you gradually. The main problem I see is that beginners, especially adult beginners, go in all gung ho and over extend themselves, and get injured within a few weeks or months.

Take it gradually. If you go into a club and they throw you into randori (sparring) right away then reconsider training there.

I had a student who was a very gifted professional piano player. As in playing gigs with well known jazz musicians in New Orleans, as well as being an attorney. He was a brown belt. He eventually gave up Judo because of worry over his hands.

Ben