Golfer’s elbow is a condition that occurs as a result of overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons connected at the elbow, which assist in controlling the fingers and wrist. This overuse or excessive straining of the hand can cause small tears in the tendons, which can lead to pain, swelling, and inflammation around the olecranon elbow bone. Golfer’s elbow, also known medial epicondylitis is a type of tendinitis. The condition is similar to tennis elbow and is not restricted to golfers only.
Risk Factors of Golfer’s Elbow
Other than being a golfer, there are other factors that can increase the risk of developing a golfer’s elbow. These include:
- Being overweight
- Aging (40 years and above)
- Smoking
- Engaging in continuous strenuous activities
Causes of Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow can occur as a result of damage to the tendons in the joint caused by activities such as:
- Engaging in golf sport which requires repetitive swinging of a golf club
- Racket sport such as racquetball, squash, or tennis where the arm is stroked
- Throwing sports activities such as baseball, javelin, archery, or softball when the pitching is not done correctly
- Rowing or peddling a boat
- Weightlifting or straining occupational activities such as construction, working in a butchery, or plumbing among others
Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow
Some of the common signs and symptoms of a golfer’s elbow include:
- Rigidity of the elbow thus causing difficulty in its motion
- Weak grip due to a weak wrist
- Numbness or a prickly feeling that runs from the elbow to the fingers especially the pinky and ring fingers
- Tenderness and pain in the wrist and inner part of the forearm when twisting it
- Deformed or a broken elbow
Diagnosing Golfer’s Elbow
During the diagnosis of a golfer’s elbow, the doctor performs a physical assessment, and seeks information of the patient’s daily activities. The doctor tests whether there is normal flexion from the hand to the wrist by gently twisting the wrist and documenting the degree of internal pain experienced by the patient. An imaging test such as an x-ray of the arm is also done.
If the diagnosis of a golfer’s elbow is definitive, then non-invasive modes of treatment will be recommended. However, if the pain experienced is intense, then surgery may be required.
Treatment Options of a Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow can be treated by immediately stopping any strenuous activities that may have caused the overuse of the elbow. This will aid in pain reduction. Other non-invasive treatment options include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Injections therapies
- Pain relief medication
- Application of ice on the forearm and elbow (affected area)
- Use of braces to support the arm in cases where there is weakness
- Exercises to stretch the muscles, strengthen, and heal the arm. Some of the exercises include:
- Finger extensions whereby the patient holds a rubber band around the fingertips then stretches it as far as the rubber can extend
- Wrist extension whereby the injured arm is placed on a surface and the forearm hangs on the edge, then he/she lifts a weight by raising and lowering it slowly
- Ball squeeze which involves squeezing and releasing a small and soft stress reliever ball. The goal of this exercise is to strengthen the forearm
- Supination and pronation of the forearm. This involves holding a heavy object and slowly rotating the wrist facing upward and downward while the forearm is stably laid on a flat surface
Surgery
Surgery to treat a golfer’s elbow is considered when there is a tear, and the other non-invasive treatment options are not effective or are not relieving the pain.
During the procedure, an incision is made along the arm and the injured tissues, excess tissue formation and/or protruding bone are removed to reduce the pressure being exerted at the flexor tendon. This procedure is known as medial epicondyle release.
Post-opt Care and Recovery
After the surgical procedure, the patient will be able to resume his/her normal daily activities after approximately six weeks while the occupational activities can be resumed after approximately six months.
However, even after the golfer’s elbow has healed, one is advised to avoid overusing it and to stop the said occupational activity whenever he/she feels a strain. In cases where the arm is weak, braces are provided to to help in stabilizing it. Gradual exercise is recommended in order to speed up the healing process and to avoid a recurrence.
Preventive Measures of Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow can be prevented by:
- Ensuring that before starting your occupational activity, stretch and strengthen your muscles to avoid any physical stress
- Using equipment that march your weight level and reduce exerting force to the elbow
Next Step
Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at King’s have extensive knowledge of the full range of shoulder disorders and will help you find the ideal medical solution for your condition. You can get in touch by filling in the form below.
Faqs
الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعا
If you frequently swing your arm when playing golf or other sports, you may experience pain on the inside of your elbow. This condition, also known as Medial Epicondylitis, is brought on by overusing the forearm’s muscles and tendons, which results in swelling and pain at the joint. Golfer’s elbow is named from the fact that frequent golfers often develop it. Baseball players are also predisposed to this particular injury, which is sometimes known as throwers elbow.
Experiencing pain that extends from the elbow bone up into the forearm is usually the first distinctive symptom of Golfer’s elbow. When you make a fist, the pain in your arm’s interior gets worse and your elbow could get very stiff. It gets tougher to hold onto things as the wrist weakens and turning or bending it down hurts more. Many people also claim to experience tingling in their fingers and arm.
The position of the inflammation is the primary distinction between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Tennis elbow is characterized by inflammation on the elbow’s and forearm’s exterior, whereas golfer’s elbow is characterized by inflammation on the inner side of the arm and elbow.
Before returning to sports or engaging in daily activities that put strain on your arm, doctors advise resting it for at least 5 weeks. You could also use painkillers to reduce inflammation, apply ice to the forearm, wear a forearm brace and go for physical therapy. You may however need more medical attention if you’ve developed Chronic Golfer’s elbow pain. The treatments typically include platelet rich plasma injections, corticosteroid injections and prolotherapy.
This depends on how severe the injury is. In most cases, golfer’s elbow typically heals within 2 weeks. If you disregard the recommendation to give the injured limb time to rest, the issue may persist for several months. You also risk developing Chronic golfer’s elbow pain syndrome which is a more significant and challenging condition that is a result of inadequate treatment and rest.
Prior to and following a round of golf or any other activity that requires repetitive hand movements, experts advise giving your forearm muscles a nice stretch. In addition to lowering the risk of injury, stretching also helps relieve muscle discomfort. Also, you could try modifying your sporting supplies and methods. For instance, if you play tennis, you might want to mix it up with a wider grip or looser racquet strings. Another excellent habit to adopt is taking a break every hour.
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