What is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is a type of tendonitis causing pain in the tendons that connect your forearm to your elbow. The pain is centered around the bony bump inside your elbow and can extend into your forearm. It usually improves with rest.

What’s the Difference Between Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow?

Both conditions result from repetitive use of the wrist and arm, not just sports. Tennis elbow affects the tendon on the outer side of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow affects the tendon on the inner side. Golfer’s elbow is less common.

Symptoms & Causes

Symptoms include:

Pain and tenderness: Felt on the inner side of the elbow, sometimes extending to the forearm, often worse with certain movements.
Stiffness: The elbow may feel stiff, and making a fist might be painful.
Weakness: Weakness in the hands and wrists.
Numbness or tingling: These sensations might spread to one or more fingers, usually the ring and little fingers.

Causes of Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, happens from using too much force to bend your wrist towards your palm. This can occur from activities like swinging a golf club or pitching a baseball. Other causes include:

Serving forcefully in tennis or using a spin serve
Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
Using a tennis racket that's too tightly strung, too short, or too heavy
Throwing a javelin
Carrying a heavy suitcase
Chopping wood with an ax
Operating a chainsaw
Frequent use of hand tools
Diagnosis & Tests

To diagnose golfer’s elbow, your healthcare provider will ask about your activities and check your arm for movements that cause pain. Tests may include:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Ultrasound
CT (Computed Tomography) scans
Bone scans
Prevention

To prevent golfer’s elbow:

Strengthen your forearm muscles with light weights or a tennis ball. This helps handle sudden stress.
Stretch before activity. Warm up with walking or jogging and do gentle stretches before starting.
Improve your form. Get an instructor to check your technique to avoid straining your muscles.
Use the right equipment. Upgrade to lighter graphite golf clubs and ensure your tennis racket fits well. Avoid rackets with a small grip or heavy head.
Lift properly. Keep your wrist firm and stable to reduce strain.
Take breaks. Rest if you feel pain to avoid overusing your elbow.
Risk Factors

You’re more likely to develop golfer’s elbow if you:

Do repetitive actions for two hours a day
Smoke
Are obese
Living With Golfer’s Elbow

To manage it:

Rest your sore arm. Consult your healthcare provider about stretches and wear a brace during activities.
Ice your arm after work or sports.
Dr. Preetesh Choudhary says, “Golfer’s elbow can affect more than just your sports or work. If not treated, it can lead to lasting issues like reduced elbow movement, ongoing pain, and weakened grip. If you have persistent elbow pain, talk to your healthcare provider for relief and advice on caring for your elbow.”

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