GOLFER’S ELBOW

COMMON TERMS

golfer’s elbow, baseball elbow, suitcase elbow, forehand tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow tendonitis, repetitive strain injury (RSI) of the elbow, golfers elbow, golfers elbow tendonitis

TECHNICAL TERMS

medial epicondylitis, medial epicondylalgia, golfer’s epicondylitis

WHAT IT IS

A soft tissue problem – it is similar to Tennis Elbow but the location of the pain is different. Golfer’s Elbow is felt as pain on the inside of the elbow

SYMPTOMS

• Pain and Tenderness: Pain is primarily located on the bony bump on the inside of the elbow, often spreading to the forearm.
• Weakness: The hand and wrist may feel weak, making it difficult to lift items, turn door handles, or squeeze objects
• Stiffness: The elbow may feel stiff, particularly in the morning, with a reduced range of motion.

CAUSE

It’s triggered by activities like golf (especially with poor form/equipment), heavy lifting, typing, gardening, or any strenuous gripping and twisting, often due to a sudden increase in activity or lack of conditioning.

TREATMENT

Conservative treatment is recommended for mild cases:

• Rest: Stop or modify activities causing pain, particularly repetitive gripping, lifting, or swinging.
• Ice: Apply ice packs for 20 minutes, 4 times a day to reduce swelling.
• Pain Relief: Use NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) or creams to manage pain and inflammation
• Bracing: A counterforce brace (epiclasp) can reduce strain on the tendon.
• Activity Modification: Adjust workstation ergonomics or improve sports technique. .

Treatment for severe cases:

• Physical/Occupational Therapy: To guide strengthening and provide ultrasound to break up scar tissue.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Used to treat severe, persistent pain, though they may have limited long-term benefits.
• PRP Therapy: Platelet-Rich Plasma injections to promote healing.
• Shock Wave Therapy: High-energy sound waves to stimulate blood flow.