Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
Medial epicondylitis (EH-puh-kaan-duh-LI-tuhs), or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged. It is a common and painful condition that occurs not only in golfers, but also in anyone who performs repeated, resisted motions of the wrist.
Signs and Symptoms
- pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow
- pain or weakness with gripping
- pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver)
- sometimes swelling
Increased Risk
- sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball)
- poor warm-up before practice or play
- poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)
- going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done
Treatment
- Medicine
- Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
- Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
- Use of cold and heat
- Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
- Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Orthopedic aids
- A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.
- Excercises
- Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.
- Injections
- For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.
- Surgery
- In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
How to Prevent
- Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.
- Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.
- Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
- Wear an elbow brace.
When to Call the Health Care Provider
Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:
- symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment
- new, unexplained symptoms develop
Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) (PDF)
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