What is golfers elbow/medial epicondylitis?

The medical term for golfer’s elbow is Medial epicondylitis. This is because the pain is felt around the area of the medial epicondyle (bone). Golfers elbow causes pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow. For most people with golfers elbow, the pain only occurs when they use their forearm. Golfer’s elbow occurs as a result of overuse of a group of tendons situated near the elbow that bend your wrist and fingers. However, for some people the pain is constant; it occurs at rest and can affect their sleep. The pain may travel down your arm from your elbow towards your wrist. Some people report stiffness in the forearm and you may find it difficult to hold items.

What causes golfers elbow/medial epicondylitis?

Golfer’s elbow is often an overuse injury. It occurs when the muscles and tendons in your forearm are strained due to a repetitive or strenuous activity of bending your wrist. Golfers elbow can also sometimes occur after banging or knocking your elbow. If the muscles and tendons in your forearm are strained, tiny tears and inflammation can develop near the bony lump (medial epicondyle) on the inside of your elbow. You may get it if your forearm muscles are not used to doing a certain activity. It affects anyone at any age but it mainly affects people between the ages of 30 to 50.

Management

This condition will settle on its own; however, this could take months or years. There are some things to do to try and settle the symptoms:

Resting the elbow and wrist between bouts of activity or stopping sport for a few weeks will help – the tendon needs time to heal without repetitive irritation.

Look at the activity that causes you pain and modify it if you are able, or avoid it if you can. Spread the load to the larger muscles of your shoulder and upper arm.

Be aware of the force that you use to grip things. Try and use the minimum amount of force or enlarge the grip size to help you avoid putting excess strain on your tendons.

Use pain relief as required. Simple pain relief may be appropriate to help manage pain.  Your GP or Pharmacist can advise you on the most appropriate medications to take however anti-inflammatory tablets or gels/creams may be helpful or pain killers may relieve the pain. Please seek advice from your pharmacist/GP before you start taking any new medication to make sure you are aware of any side effects and always follow the instructions.

Exercises of stretching and a strengthening programme can help.

Wrist Stretching

Hold your affected arm with your elbow straight and palm facing down. Push the back of your hand towards you until a gentle stretch is felt on the inside of your forearm. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times, 3 times a day.

Wrist Strengthening

Increase the strength of the forearm muscles by doing a particular type of exercise called eccentric strengthening. These exercises may be slightly uncomfortable to begin with. Rest your affected arm over the edge of a table with your palm facing upwards and your forearm fully supported. Use your other hand to lift the affected hand.

Now let go of the affected hand and lower it back down over a 6 seconds period. Repeat these movements. 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times a day. Progress these exercises by performing the same movement while holding a small weight or bottle of water. It may take a week or two before you can use a small weight.