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Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow

What is Golfer’s Elbow?

Also referred to as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow affects anyone who performs an activity that strains the forearm or wrist. In some ways, golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow. A condition that affects the outside of the lateral epicondyle. It is called golfer’s elbow because the tendon is stressed when making a golf swing. Most people who have golfer’s elbow have never played golf or handled a golf club.

There are several muscles on the anterior forearm. They are involved in pronating the wrist and flexing the digits of the hand. Golfer’s elbow causes inflammation and pain in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. It is caused by overusing muscles in your forearm that allow you to rotate your arm, grip and flex your wrist. Repetitive swinging, gripping and flexing causes tiny tears or pulls in the tendons.

What Are the Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow?

  • Pain and tenderness: You might feel pain on the inner side of your elbow. Sometimes, the pain extends to your forearm and worsens with strenuous movement.
  • Pain or stiffness when you make a fist, drop an object or shake hands
  • Pain when you carry a shopping bag or unscrew the lid on a jar
  • Weakness in your wrists and hands
  • Tingling or numbing sensations radiating into your ring and little fingers.
  • Pain when you fully straighten your elbow

Causes of Golfer’s Elbow

Contrary to popular opinion, golfer’s elbow is not caused by inflammation. It was thought to be caused by inflammation from overuse.

While golfer’s elbow is poorly understood at a molecular and cellular level, scientists hypothesise that autophagic and apoptosis cell death are the causes of chronic lateral epicondylitis. Cell death reduces muscle density and leads to a snowball effect in muscle weakness. This limits the muscle’s ability to maintain full function.

Other causes of golfer’s elbow besides golf include

  • Racket sports: Similar to tennis elbow, improper technique with tennis strokes leads to tendon injury.
  • Throwing sports: Improper pitching technique in javelin, football, archery, softball and baseball causes golfer’s elbow.
  • Repetitive occupational movement: Fields include plumbing, construction and carpentry.

Diagnosis of Golfer’s Elbow

Your GP reads requests your medical history and performs a simple medical examination. The GP evaluates stiffness and pain by applying pressure to the affected body part. They ask you to move your wrists, elbow and fingers in different ways. Your GP might request an X-ray to rule out arthritis or a fracture. An MRI is performed in more comprehensive cases.

Treatment of Golfer’s Elbow

Pain relief

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol might help to relieve pain and allow you exercise. Please visit your GP before taking any medication for golfer’s elbow.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is an effective treatment of golfer’s elbow. It helps in the following ways

  • Restore normal joint range of function and motion
  • Relieve elbow pain
  • Normalise cervical joint function
  • Restore normal muscle strength, length and movement
  • Facilitate tissue repair

Physical therapy includes a range of exercises for tendon and muscle reconditioning. It stretches and strengthens the flexor-pronator muscles.
Physiotherapy also includes

  • Electrotherapy
  • Gentle mobilization of your elbow and neck joints
  • Neural mobilisations
  • Protective strapping and massage

Will Golfer’s Elbow Require Surgery?

Most people who have golfer’s elbow do not require surgery. Your GP only considers surgery as an option if nonsurgical treatment failed over a long time. Golfer’s elbow surgery is an outpatient procedure. Your doctor removes the damaged tendon and reattaches the healthy tendon to the bone. Surgery approaches include percutaneous, open surgery and arthroscopic surgery. You should have elbow motion after the surgery. Full recovery is achieved within a few months. Ensure you manage recovery with rest.

Golfer’s Elbow FAQ’s

Who is at risk for Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfers are not the only ones at risk of golfer’s elbow. Other sports include bowling, tennis and baseball. Anyone whose job involves repetitive wrist; hand or forearm motions could suffer golfer’s elbow. These includes painters, roofers and carpenters. Other at risk of golf elbow include individuals who are obese, smokers and those aged 40 or older.
What are the initial signs of Golfer’s Elbow?
Initial signs of golfer’s elbow include pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow.
Does Golfer’s Elbow go away on its own without treatment?
Sometimes, golfer’s elbow goes away on its own. Visit your GP if the symptoms worsen after a while.
How long does Golfer’s Elbow take to heal?
Conservative treatment usually suffices for golfer’s elbow but you might need surgery if you’re in pain after three to six months. Full recovery after surgery takes three to six months in most cases.

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