Golfer's Elbow
Most people have heard of tennis elbow but golfer’s elbow is a little bit different. Golfer's elbow is a condition that causes pain where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. The pain might spread into your forearm and wrist. It's not limited to golfers. Tennis players and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers also can develop golfer's elbow. Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, refers to pain felt on the inside of the elbow (looking at your elbow, palm facing up).
Why did I develop golfer's elbow?
Overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and elbow are the most common reason people develop golfer's elbow. Repeating some types of activities over and over again can put too much strain on the elbow tendons. These activities are not necessarily high-level sports competition. Shoveling, gardening, and hammering nails can all cause the pain of golfer's elbow. Swimmers who try to pick up speed by powering their arm through the water can also strain the flexor tendon at the elbow.
In some cases, the symptoms of golfer's elbow are due to inflammation. In an acute injury, the body undergoes an inflammatory response. Special inflammatory cells make their way to the injured tissues to help them heal. Conditions that involve inflammation are indicated by "-itis" on the end of the word. For example, inflammation in a tendon is called tendonitis. Inflammation around the medial epicondyle is called medial epicondylitis.
Golfer's elbow is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. To evaluate pain and stiffness, the doctor may apply pressure to the affected area or ask you to move your elbow, wrist and fingers in various ways. An X-ray can help the doctor rule out other causes of elbow pain, such as a fracture or arthritis. Rarely, more comprehensive imaging studies such as MRI are performed.
Self care for golfer’s elbow:
- Rest – If it hurts don’t do it. Strained muscles need time to recuperate…even if the greens are calling. It is the repetitive trauma that brought on the injury so take some time to let your body heal.
- Ice – Using a cold compress for ten minutes at a time a few times throughout the day can help to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed recovery.
- Warm up – Make sure your muscles are ready for tee time by warming up with some wrist circles, opening and closing fingers in quick succession, and jazz hands*.
- Stretch – To help reduce and prevent tight muscles stretch out the forearms frequently throughout the day. Hold your arm out with palm up; use your other hand to gently press your fingers down until you feel some tension; hold for 20-25 seconds.
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