Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Golfer’s elbow, also known as Medial epicondylitis, is a condition caused when the tendon of the forearm muscles is damaged. This tendon connects to the bone on the elbow joint, the forearm and the upper arm. Usually, this tendon controls the movement of the wrist and finger.

Athletes such as golfers or tennis players who often utilize their wrists to grasp their clubs and rackets tightly are prone to this condition. This is the reason why it is almost comparable to tennis elbow. The only difference is that tennis elbow occurs on the outer side of the elbow. Moreover, the pain can sometimes extend to the forearm and wrist.

Symptoms

The following are symptoms of golfer’s elbow:

• Tenderness and pain on the inner area of the elbow that may extend to the inner forearm. Certain motions, such as swinging a golf club, may worsen the pain.
• Stiffness on the elbow may be felt when you make a fist.
• Weakness in the hand and wrist.
• Numbness or a tingling sensation in the ring or little finger, or both.

When to see a doctor

• You have a fever
• The elbow feels hot
• You’re experiencing elbow inflammation
• You notice an elbow deformity
• If a fractured elbow is suspected

What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?

Repetitive or overuse of the wrist and fingers by faulty movements may lead to a small injury to the tendon which causes golfer’s elbow.

Other activities or jobs that may cause the condition are:

• Throwing sports. Poor technique or movement during sports which involves throwing (e.g. archery, football or javelin) or pitching (e.g. baseball or softball).
• Weight training. Poor technique when carrying heavy weights.
• Jobs that require repetitive heavy force on the elbow, forearm and wrist area. For example, office workers who are pounding on keyboards when typing, waiters lifting heavy food trays, and the tasks of carpenters, plumbers or construction workers.

People aged 40 and above who are obese, smokers, or perform repetitive tasks using their arms are at risk of developing medial epicondylitis.

Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow

Rest, refraining from engaging in golf for a while and icing the affected areas several times a day is recommended. If your symptoms show no sign of improvement after a few months, make an appointment to see a doctor at Vejthani Hospital. The doctor can run some tests that will ensure that nothing else is causing the pain. They can also prescribe some stretching and strengthening exercises to help speed up the healing process. If you’re not presently using an elbow brace, they may recommend you start using a counterforce brace to reduce the stress on your tendon and muscles. 

The doctors at Vejthani Hospital can effectively treat this common sports injury. They can quickly have you pain-free by taking the correct approach to managing your condition.