Curing Golfers Elbow

Last week we focused on what Tennis elbow was and how we can get it “on the mend”. This week, we are going to take a look at the inverse – golfers elbow and explain how you can treat it. Both these elbow problems occur frequently to baseball players due to overuse, strain, and the repetitive motions found in pitching and batting.

What is Golfer Elbow?

Golfer’s Elbow, known as Epicondylitis, causes the inner side of the elbow joint to feel tender and painful – you are more prone to this condition when involved in throwing motions (or playing golf), yet those with manual occupations can also be affected.

The affected tendon is the common flexor tendon which attaches the flexor muscles of the forearm to the inner side of the elbow. These muscles have a myriad of responsibilities from throwing to allowing your fingers to curl up. Golfers elbow occurs due to microscopic tears that cause the tendon to degenerate. The condition becomes chronic or long-lasting if the tendon that attaches to the bone calcifies – and in rare cases, larger tears can develop causing more issues. The vast majority of cases, however, are not serious and can be self-managed.

Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow. Pain is usually felt just over the bone and is triggered by gripping, squeezing, or pulling. The symptoms are extremely telling which means no extra investigation is usually required.

How Can You Manage the Symptoms?

If the elbow is sore after physical activity, apply ice for 15 minutes every few hours. We highly recommend you follow our tips on PRICE that can be found by clicking this link.

Most cases of Golfer’s Elbow can be managed just by modifying activities. That may mean, depending on the severity of pain, you must stop playing and or training until your physician or physio gives you the go-ahead to get back on the field. A small number of more severe cases may require a steroid injection. In very rare cases surgery may be necessary.

Anatomically guided Corticosteroid injections can also be a solution. This involves steroids being injected around the tendon and its insertion into the bone. Although this is minimally invasive, there are risks and possible side-effects you should consider with your physician. 

If you have suffered from Golfer’s elbow, please contact us at Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitative Medicine for a bespoke rehab plan. Contact our switchboard on: (212) 241-6321