Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a form of tendinitis affecting the tendons connecting the elbow and the forearm, leading to discomfort and irritation. The condition is caused by repetitive motions such as gripping, bending, and twisting, which can contribute to tiny tears in the tendons.

Despite its name, golfer’s elbow is not exclusive to golfers. It commonly affects individuals who lift heavy objects, participate in racquet sports, or perform repetitive physical labor.

Symptoms

Golfer’s elbow primarily causes pain on the inner side of the elbow, which is often tender to touch and highly sensitive to impact.

Common symptoms involve:

• Pain when lifting, holding, or carrying objects
• Weakness sensation when clenching a fist or gripping items
• Difficulty doing everyday tasks, such as opening and closing jars or pouring from a kettle
• Discomfort during repetitive activities, such as drilling, screwing, or sawing
• Pain when playing a sport that requires a rigid grip, such as tennis or golf

Causes

Golfer’s elbow develops due to excessive force applied while bending the wrist toward the palm, often during activities like swinging a golf club or throwing a baseball.

Other possible causes are:

• Spinning or using force during tennis serves
• Weakness of shoulder muscles and wrist
• Using too heavy, short, or tightly strung tennis racket
• Carrying heavy luggage
• Throwing a javelin
• Using a chainsaw
• Woodcutting using an axe
• Using hand tools frequently

Diagnosis

Golfer’s elbow can be diagnosed during your initial hospital visit. At The Joint Pain Clinic, our diagnostic steps involve:

• Detailed medical history: Reviewing symptoms and determining triggers as well as factors that relieve discomfort.
• Physical examination: Evaluating grip strength, as well as the function of the elbow, wrist, and shoulder.
• Palpation: Feeling the affected area to pinpoint the exact source of pain.

In some cases, diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray or MRI may be used to confirm the presence and severity of a tendon tear.

Management and Treatment

Most cases of golfer’s elbow can be resolved with rest and activity modification. To aid recovery, consider the following:

• Rest the affected arm and avoid activities that trigger pain.
• Use pain relief options, including ice packs, over-the-counter pain medications, and topical anti-inflammatory products.
• Modify movements and techniques to prevent recurrence. A golf or tennis coach can assess your equipment and technique, suggesting adjustments to your swing or serve to reduce strain on the elbow.

Other treatment options available at The Joint Pain Clinic include:

• Splints and supports: For severe pain, braces, splints or specialist strapping may be recommended for short-term use. An epicondylitis clasp can help protect the affected area during pain-triggering activities, making it particularly beneficial for individuals whose work involves repetitive arm movements.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections can help relieve pain and ease inflammation. Repeated treatments can be administered after 3 to 6 months, though only a maximum of three injections should be given in the same area.
• Shockwave therapy: This non-invasive treatment uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. A specially designed device delivers these waves to the elbow through the skin. While commonly used for tennis elbow, shockwave therapy can also be effective for some cases of golfer’s elbow.
• PRP/ACP injections: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—sometimes referred to as Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP)—is an advanced, non-surgical treatment option for golfer’s elbow. It involves drawing a small blood sample and processing it to extract and concentrate plasma and platelets. They are then injected into the elbow to accelerate healing and reduce the need for surgical intervention.

Surgical treatment: In rare cases, surgery may be required to resolve the golfer’s elbow. Nevertheless, if symptoms persist for 6 to 12 months despite treatment, our orthopaedic surgeon can perform a procedure to address the condition.