GOLFER'S ELBOW (MEDIAL EPICONDYLITIS)

A golfer's elbow can develop without ever swinging a golf club. Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, can be caused by swinging a tennis racquet, lifting a heavy meal tray, hammering nails, or banging away on your computer keyboard. It is a type of tendonitis that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that link the forearm and elbow. When you bend, grip, or twist items repeatedly, your tendons develop microscopic tears, causing wrist, elbow, and forearm pain. If left untreated, a golfer's elbow can cause lifelong harm by reducing your elbow's range of motion, producing chronic pain, and weakening your grip.

Less than 1% of the population suffers from golfer's elbow. It affects men and women between the ages of 45 and 64. Women are more likely than men to acquire a golfer's elbow. Approximately 90% of golfer's elbow cases are caused by activities other than sports. It commonly affects the dominant arm. For example, right-handed people can acquire a golfer's elbow in their right arm. Symptoms usually begin with a sore place on the inside elbow, and the pain can travel up and down your arm.

Symptoms 

The symptoms of a golfer's elbow are as follows:

• Aching pain in your forearm or wrist.

• Pain when you try to make a fist.

• Decreased grip strength.

• Tingling in your hand.

• Numbness in your hand.

Causes 

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) develops when you frequently bend, grip, or twist something with your wrist and arm. Over time, the tendons that connect your forearm and elbow develop microscopic tears, causing wrist, elbow, and forearm discomfort.

Diagnosis 

Your doctor will ask you what activities cause your elbow pain. They will evaluate your arm for specific movements that produce pain. Other testing may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• Ultrasound.

• Computed tomography (CT) scans.

• Bone scans.

Treatment

First, rest your arm. Healthcare providers recommend that you rest your arm for at least six weeks before returning to sports or other strenuous activity. Other therapies include:

• Using ice on your forearm.

• Taking anti-inflammatory medication.

• Wearing a brace on your forearm.

• Wearing a night splint.

• Going to physical therapy.

Persistent golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) pain may require additional treatment.

• Corticosteroid injections.

• Prolotherapy. Healthcare providers inject a natural irritant into your arm to jump-start your body's healing process.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

Prevention

If you have a golfer's elbow from playing sports, you can prevent further injury by paying careful attention to your wrist and forearm during warmups and altering your athletic equipment and technique.

Golfer's elbow is a common ailment that can result in severe pain and discomfort in the inner elbow. Golfer's elbow, whether caused by sports, overuse, or faulty technique, can make it difficult to do daily duties. However, with adequate treatment and precautions, most people can recover completely and resume normal activities. If you are experiencing prolonged pain or discomfort, you should seek medical help to ensure an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.