Golfers Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Symptoms & Causes

Treatments

Symptoms

Inner elbow pain on gripping, lifting or bending the wrist as well as when opening jars or other twisting movements of the wrist
Tenderness on touching the inside of the elbow
Elbow stiffness, especially in the morning
Mild swelling and heat over the inner elbow

Causes

Incorrect grip of a golf club or golf swing but other sports can also cause this to develop
Overuse of tools that vibrate the wrist and hand such as wood sander
Overuse of the muscles in the forearm during typing or computer mouse work
Sudden increase in activities using the hands that is not part of your normal routine such as gardening

Treatment options

Avoiding/reduce activities that are causing the problem or correcting poor mechanics
Physiotherapy
Remedial massage
Shockwave therapy
Dry needling
Cryotherapy

Exercises at home

Wrist extensors stretch
- Extend one arm out in front with the elbow straight, palm facing down
- Use the other hand to grasp the top of the hand and bend the wrist so that the fingers are pointing towards the floor
- Hold the stretch for approximately 30 seconds and breathe deeply throughout
Wrist flexor strengthening
- Place your forearm on a table or arm rest with the wrist unsupported, palm facing up
- With a weight in your hand, flex the wrist, raising the weight towards the ceiling then, slowly lower the weight towards the floor
- Repeat 8-10 times, rest 1 minute and repeat. Ensure the movement is controlled and no pain is felt in the elbow