Golfer's Elbow (aka Medial Epicondylitis)
What is Golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition that causes pain on the inner side of your elbow, where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. The pain may spread into your forearm and wrist. Golfer's elbow is similar to tennis elbow, except it occurs on the inside, rather than the outside, of your elbow. Golfer's elbow is also less common than Tennis elbow.
Common Causes
Despite the name, this condition doesn't just affect golfers. The cause of medial epicondylitis is typically related to any repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm motions - especially gripping, rotating your arm, and flexing your wrist. This causes tiny tears in the tendons on the inside of the elbow that lead to inflammation and pain.
Many activities can lead to golfer's elbow, including:
Signs & Symptoms
Golfer's elbow is characterized by:
The pain of golfer's elbow may appear suddenly or gradually. The pain may get worse when you grip objects, rotate your arm, or flex your wrist.
Treatment
1. Rest - Avoid repetitive activities and any activities or movements that cause increased pain so the tendons have time to heal.
2. Ice the medial aspect of your elbow for 10 minutes every few hours if the area is swollen and warm to touch.
3. Anti-inflammatory medications - Ask your family doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofin.
4. Wear a brace around your forearm, close to the elbow, with pressure on the muscles on the inside of the forearm. This will help take some of the pressure off the bone where the tendon attaches. Braces like this can normally be found at the drug store.
5. Stretch the muscle of your forearm by straightening your elbow and bending your wrist back as shown below. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds and do this multiple times throughout the day.
6. Eccentric exercises are recommended for any tendonitis injury such as Golfer's elbow. Eccentric exercises are active contractions of the muscle while it is lengthening.
To do this, put a weight in your hand (about 2 pounds or a can of soup) and lift your wrist up with your uninjured hand. Then slowly lower your wrist, using your muscles to control the movement. That is one repetition. Start with 2 sets of 10 repetitions, building up to 3 sets as able. You can increase the weight as able.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition that causes pain on the inner side of your elbow, where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. The pain may spread into your forearm and wrist. Golfer's elbow is similar to tennis elbow, except it occurs on the inside, rather than the outside, of your elbow. Golfer's elbow is also less common than Tennis elbow.
Common Causes
Despite the name, this condition doesn't just affect golfers. The cause of medial epicondylitis is typically related to any repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm motions - especially gripping, rotating your arm, and flexing your wrist. This causes tiny tears in the tendons on the inside of the elbow that lead to inflammation and pain.
Many activities can lead to golfer's elbow, including:
- Golf. Gripping or swinging the clubs incorrectly can take a toll on your muscles and tendons.
- Racket sports. Excessive topspin can hurt your elbow. Using a racket that's too small or heavy also can lead to injury.
- Throwing sports. Improper pitching technique in baseball or softball can be another culprit. Football, archery and javelin throwing also can cause golfer's elbow.
- Weight training. Lifting weights using improper technique, such as curling the wrists during a biceps exercise, can lead to overload of the elbow muscles and tendons.
- Other activities. Any activity that causes you to repeatedly bend and straighten your elbow can cause golfer's elbow. This includes activities such as painting, raking, hammering, chopping wood, using a computer, doing assembly-line work and cooking.
Signs & Symptoms
Golfer's elbow is characterized by:
- Pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow, sometimes extending along the inner side of your forearm.
- Stiffness in your elbow, and it may hurt to make a fist.
- Weakness in your hands and wrists.
- Numbness or tingling sensation that radiates into one or more fingers — usually the ring and little fingers.
The pain of golfer's elbow may appear suddenly or gradually. The pain may get worse when you grip objects, rotate your arm, or flex your wrist.
Treatment
1. Rest - Avoid repetitive activities and any activities or movements that cause increased pain so the tendons have time to heal.
2. Ice the medial aspect of your elbow for 10 minutes every few hours if the area is swollen and warm to touch.
3. Anti-inflammatory medications - Ask your family doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to take anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofin.
4. Wear a brace around your forearm, close to the elbow, with pressure on the muscles on the inside of the forearm. This will help take some of the pressure off the bone where the tendon attaches. Braces like this can normally be found at the drug store.
5. Stretch the muscle of your forearm by straightening your elbow and bending your wrist back as shown below. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds and do this multiple times throughout the day.
6. Eccentric exercises are recommended for any tendonitis injury such as Golfer's elbow. Eccentric exercises are active contractions of the muscle while it is lengthening.
To do this, put a weight in your hand (about 2 pounds or a can of soup) and lift your wrist up with your uninjured hand. Then slowly lower your wrist, using your muscles to control the movement. That is one repetition. Start with 2 sets of 10 repetitions, building up to 3 sets as able. You can increase the weight as able.