Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition causing pain on the inside of your elbow. It’s caused by overuse of the forearm muscles that flex your wrist and grip. While the name suggests it only affects golfers, anyone who performs repetitive gripping or swinging motions can develop it.
What’s the culprit?
The pain arises from tiny tears or inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the inner elbow (medial epicondyle). These muscles are responsible for wrist bending and gripping. Repetitive motions like swinging a golf club, pitching a baseball, or even using screwdrivers can overload these tendons, leading to damage.
Signs and Symptoms
The main symptom of golfer’s elbow is tenderness or aching pain on the inner side of your elbow, especially when gripping or bending your wrist. The pain might radiate down your forearm and weaken your grip strength. You might also experience stiffness in the elbow, making it difficult to fully extend or bend your arm.
Golfer’s Elbow Treatment
If you have elbow pain, contact Capital Physiotherapy. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further damage and speed up recovery. Treatment often involves rest, ice therapy, pain medication, and physical therapy to strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility. In some cases, a brace or splinting might be recommended to restrict wrist movement and promote healing.
By recognizing the symptoms and taking preventive measures, you can keep golfer’s elbow at bay and enjoy pain-free movement in your elbow. Capital Physiotherapy have branches that may be near you, so visit us on: www.capitalphysiotherapy.com.au or call us on 0406 067 105