Description

Golfer's elbow is a condition that causes pain in the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. The pain might spread into your forearm and wrist.

Golfer's elbow is similar to tennis elbow, which occurs on the outer part of the elbow. It's not limited to golfers. Tennis players and others who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers also can develop golfer's elbow.

The pain of golfer's elbow doesn't have to keep you off the field or away from your favorite activities. The rest and the right treatment you can get back into the swing of things.

Symptoms

Golfer's elbow is characterized by:

  • The pain and tenderness. Usually felt on the inner side of the elbow, the pain sometimes extends along the inside of your forearm. The pain is typically worse with certain movements.
  • Stiffness. Your elbow may feel stiff, and make a fist could be damaged.
  • The weakness. You may have weakness in the hands and wrists.
  • Numbness or tingly feeling. These feelings may radiate to one or more fingers, usually the ring and little fingers.

The pain of golfer's elbow can occur suddenly or gradually. The pain may worsen with certain movements, such as swinging a golf club.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers do not help relieve your elbow pain and tenderness. Seek immediate medical attention if:

  • The elbow joint is hot and inflamed, and has a fever
  • You can't bend your elbow
  • Your elbow looks deformed
  • You suspect you have broken a bone

Causes

Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons that control the wrist and fingers. The damage is usually related to excess or repetitive stress — especially forceful wrist and finger motions. Improper lifting, throwing or hitting, as well as too little warming or poor conditioning, can also contribute to golfer's elbow.

In addition to golf, many activities and occupations can lead to golfer's elbow, including:

  • The racket sports. Improper technique with the tennis strokes, on all backwards, it can cause injury to the tendon. The excessive use of topspin and the use of a racket that is too small or heavy, it can also lead to injuries.
  • Throwing sports. Improper pitching technique in baseball or softball may be another culprit. Football, archery and javelin throwing also can cause golfer's elbow.
  • Training with weights. Lifting weights using improper technique, such as curling the wrists during a exercise for biceps, you can overload the elbow muscles and tendons.
  • Forceful, repetitive occupational movements. These occur in fields such as building, plumbing, and carpentry

To cause golfer's elbow, the activity in general needs to be done for more than an hour a day on many days.

Risk factors

You could be at a higher risk of developing golfer's elbow if you are a:

  • The 40 years of age or older
  • The performance of the repetitive activity in less than two hours per day
  • Obese
  • A smoker

Prevention

You can take steps to prevent golfer's elbow:

  • Strengthen the muscles of the forearm. The use of weights or squeeze a tennis ball. Even simple exercises can help your muscles absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.
  • Stretch before your activity. Walking or jogging for a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Then, do gentle stretches before the start of the game.
  • Review of your form. Whatever your sport, ask a trainer to check your form in order to avoid the overload on the muscles.
  • Use the right equipment. If you are using more of golf irons, consider upgrading to the more lightweight graphite clubs. If you play tennis, make sure that your racket is suited to you. A racket with a small grip, or a heavy head can increase the risk of elbow problems.
  • Lift properly. When lifting anything — including free weights — keep your wrist rigid and stable in order to reduce strength to your elbow.
  • Know when to rest. Try not to abuse his elbow. At the first sign of pain in the elbow, to take a break.

Diagnosis

Golfer's elbow is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical examination. To evaluate the pain and stiffness, the doctor may apply pressure on the affected area or ask you to move your elbow, wrist and fingers in various ways.

An x-ray can help your doctor rule out other causes of pain in the elbow, such as a fracture or arthritis. Rarely, more comprehensive imaging studies — such as magnetic resonance imaging is performed.

Treatment

The treatment starts with avoiding the activity that causes pain. To help relieve the pain, use ice.

Medicine

You can take an over-the-counter pain relievers. Try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Corticosteroid injections are not commonly given because they have not been shown to be effective in the long term. A novel treatment that is trying to platelet-rich plasma. This consists in the removal of a small amount of your blood and the injection of a concentrated amount of platelets and other anti-inflammatory factors in the bid area. Further studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment.

Therapy

Try the following:

  • Rest. Put your game of golf or other repetitive activities on hold until the pain is gone. If you are returning to activity too soon, you can make your condition worse.
  • Apply ice on the affected area. Apply ice packs on the elbow for 15 to 20 minutes three to four times a day for several days. To protect your skin, wrap the ice packs in a thin towel. We can help massage the inner part of the elbow with ice for five minutes at a time, two to three times a day.
  • The use of a corset. Your doctor may recommend that you use a wrench to counter-force in the affected arm, which could reduce the tendon and muscle strain.
  • Stretch and strengthen the affected area. Your doctor may suggest exercises to stretch and strengthen. The progressive loading of the tendon with certain exercises strength training has been shown to be especially effective. Other physical or occupational therapy, practices may also be useful.

Gradually return to your usual activities. When the pain is gone, and the practice of the arms of their sport or activity. Fix your golf swing or tennis with a trainer to make sure your technique is correct, and make adjustments if necessary.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed. But if your signs and symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment for six to 12 months, surgery may be an option. A new approach called the TENEX procedure involves minimally invasive ultrasound-guided removal of scar tissue in the region of pain in the tendon. More studies are needed.

Most people get better with rest, ice and pain relievers. Depending on the severity of your disease, the pain may persist for months or years — even if you take it easy and follow the instructions in the exercise of his arm. Sometimes, the pain returns, or becomes chronic.

Preparing for your appointment

You'll probably have to start by seeing your primary care physician. If it does not improve with rest, ice and over-the-counter medicines, your doctor may refer you to a sports medicine specialist or a doctor with advanced training in musculoskeletal disorders.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • Key medical information, including other conditions you have and all medications and supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • The typical daily activity, including the frequency, long and hard, to play sports or do other activities that the tax on the elbow. Note if you have recently changed the frequency, the intensity or the method of your workouts.
  • Recent injuries that could have damaged his elbow.
  • Questions to ask your doctor to help you make the most of their time together.

Below are some questions to ask your doctor.

  • What is the most likely the cause of my pain?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • Need proof?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • With treatment, you will be the one who will finally be able to resume the sport or activity that caused me to elbow problems?
  • How much time do I need to avoid the practice of sport or activity that caused my elbow problems?
  • What kind of exercise routine can I safely follow, while I'm healing?
  • I'm going to need surgery?
  • How often do you look at me to monitor my progress?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, including:

  • Is the pain constant? How serious is it?
  • Perform the tasks that use the elbow lift, grab, take, write, and hand tremor trigger the pain?
  • Are the symptoms that affect your ability to complete daily tasks? They affect your sleep?
  • What is your exercise routine?
  • Have you recently changed your training or equipment, such as the use of new techniques or a new racket?
  • What activities does your job require?
  • What are your leisure activities or recreation?
  • Have you tried the at-home treatments? If so, you have nothing helped?
Symptoms and treatment of Golfers elbow