Golfer’s Elbow

The primary symptom of golfer’s elbow is pain and tenderness to the inside of the elbow where the bony bump is located. Other symptoms include:

Weakened grip and wrist
Pain and a tingling sensation that spreads down your arm, from the elbow to your pinky finger
Pain with movement of the hand and wrist
Worsening pain when lifting a heavy object with your palm facing up
Stiffness in the elbow that makes it hard to move it

Common causes of a golfer’s elbow are:

Overuse of flexor muscles in the forearm
Direct impact to the elbow, such as in a sports injury or fall
Activities that involve repetitive twisting and bending motion of the wrist- occupations such as plumbers, cooks, butchers, and sports such as tennis and golf

A history of the injury and a physical examination of the elbow will be conducted by the Doctor.

Imaging tests will be taken, such as an x-ray to eliminate other conditions.

Treatment will begin with nonsurgical treatments, such as:

Rest
Applying ice or cold compress to the elbow and inner part of the forearm to reduce swelling and pain
Using a brace for elbow support
Medication for pain relief and to reduce inflammation
Strengthening exercises

Should nonsurgical treatments fail to alleviate your symptoms, surgery may be recommended to remove the damaged tissue.

There are a few steps that we can take to reduce our risks of getting a golfer’s elbow. These include:

Doing strengthening exercises
Doing the appropriate stretches before starting any physical activity
Using the proper form during sporting activities should it be required, such as during golf