What is a golfer's elbow?

You don't have to be a golfer to get a golfer's elbow. It's caused by medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as golfer's elbow, resulting from swinging a tennis racquet, hefting a loaded food tray, hammering nails, or pounding away on your computer keyboard.

Golfer's elbow is a condition caused by the pain and irritation of the tendons joining your forearm and elbow. Repeated bending, twisting, or gripping of objects in your wrist and arm leads to minute tears in the tendons, which cause pain in your forearms, elbows, and wrists.

If left unattended, a golfer's elbow can cause permanent damage, such as limiting the range of movement of your elbow. It may also bring about chronic pain as well as a weakening of grip.

Who has a golfer's elbow?

Less than 1% of the population suffers from golfer's elbow. This condition affects both males and females between the ages of 45 and 64. Females are more prone to develop golfer's elbow than males. Ninety percent of people who suffer from golfer's elbow create the condition of doing something other than competing in sports.

What happens in my body when I have a golfer's elbow?

Golfer's elbow predominantly occurs in the dominant limb. For example, a right-handed athlete has a golfer's elbow in the right arm. Symptoms begin as a sore spot inside the elbow. In addition to the elbow, you may feel pain along your arm.

How is a golfer's elbow different from a tennis elbow?

Like a golfer's elbow, tennis elbow is more about throwing, lifting, or pounding with your wrist and arm than it is about a sport. The difference, of course, is that the tennis elbow hurts on the outer aspect of your elbow.

What are the symptoms of a golfer's elbow?

Medial epicondylitis or golfer's elbow symptoms can manifest weeks or even months after onset. They can start with an ache in your inner elbow that is worse first thing in the morning. Other symptoms include:

• Aching pain in your forearm or wrist.
• Pain as you attempt to make a fist.
• Decreased grip strength.
• Tingling in your hand.
• Numbness in your hand.

What causes the golfer's elbow?

Golfer's elbow results from repetitive use of the wrist and arm to bend, twist, or grasp objects. Eventually, the tendons attaching the forearm to the elbow suffer tiny tears that can lead to wrist, elbow, and forearm pain.

How is the golfer's elbow diagnosed?

They will enquire about activities that cause a painful experience in your elbow. They will investigate your arm for specific movements that trigger the pain. Other tests may include:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Ultrasound.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans.
• Bone scans.

What is the treatment for a golfer's elbow?

Rest your arm. Physicians recommend you rest your arm for at least six weeks before resuming sports or other activities that cause stress to your arm.

Other treatments include:

• Putting ice on your forearm.
• Taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Wearing a brace over your forearm.
• Wearing a night splint.
• Seeing physical therapy.

Recurring golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) pain may require further treatment:

• Corticosteroid injections.
• Prolotherapy- Our healthcare providers inject a natural irritant into your arm to kick-start the healing process within the body.
• PRP injection.

How do I prevent the golfer's elbow?

If you do get a golfer's elbow while playing sports, you may prevent further injury by being more careful with your wrist and forearm during warmups. You may also try to modify your sports equipment and technique. 

For example, a tennis player might try using a larger grip on the racquet or loosening up the racquet strings. If one is taking tennis lessons, tell the coach how to improve the serve and forehand.

If you develop a golfer's elbow in the workplace, a brace can be helpful because it supports your wrist and allows your tendons to heal. You may also want to include some periods of time when you can stretch very lightly or even just rest your arm on the counter.

Is there anything that puts a person at specific risk for a golfer's elbow?

You can increase your risk of developing a golfer's elbow if you:

• Spend two hours per day performing repetitive tasks.
• Smoke.
• Are obese.

What do I need to know?

Fortunately, most people recover without surgery after resting their arm for about six weeks. And, better yet: there are easy things you can do daily that can speed the healing of your tendons. But without treatment, a golfer's elbow may cause permanent damage, including stiffness in the motion of your elbow, ongoing pain, and weakening of your grip.

Living With

How can you take care of yourself?

First, let your sore arm have some R&R. Here are some other measures you can take once you're back in the swing of things — whether that's sports or work:

• Discuss stretching options for your wrist and arm with your healthcare professional. You can do these stretches before engaging in activities that strain your arm and wrist.
• Wear a brace during your work or when you play sports.
• Apply ice to your arm after work or playing sports.

When to See Your Healthcare Provider?

Call your provider if you have not improved after resting your arm and seeing a physical therapist.

To seek an expert consultation for any orthopedic condition.

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