Golfer's Elbow

What is golfer's elbow?

Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a painful condition that affects the inner part of the elbow. Despite its name, you don't have to play golf to get it. It happens when the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the inner part of your elbow become inflamed or develop small tears.

At Tangram Health, our team of Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Exercise Physiologists often see patients with golfer's elbow. We understand how this condition can be really worrying and affect your daily activities and work, so we’ve put together this guide to explain what it is, what treatments you can do to get it better, and how to stop it from coming back.

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What are the symptoms of golfer's elbow?

The symptoms of golfer's elbow usually develop gradually over time. Common signs include:

• Pain on the inner part of your elbow, which may travel down your forearm
• Weakness in your wrist and hand, making it hard to grip objects
• Pain when you do activities that use your wrist and hand, like swinging a golf club or turning a doorknob
• Stiffness in your elbow, especially in the morning
• Numbness or tingling sensation in your fingers, particularly the ring and little fingers

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What causes golfer's elbow?

Golfer's elbow is usually caused by overuse of the forearm muscles that flex your wrist and fingers. This can happen from:

• Sports activities: Not just golf, but also sports like tennis, bowling, or throwing sports
• Work activities: Jobs that involve repetitive arm movements, like painting, plumbing, or construction work
• Everyday activities: Things like gardening, chopping wood, or using a screwdriver
• Poor technique: Using incorrect form when playing sports or doing work tasks
• Age: It's most common in adults over 40 years old
• Lack of strength or flexibility in the forearm muscles

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How is golfer's elbow diagnosed?

When you visit one of our Tangram Health clinics with symptoms of golfer's elbow, our healthcare professionals will use several methods to diagnose your condition:

• Medical history: They'll ask about your symptoms, when they started, and how they affect your daily life.
• Physical examination: Your Physiotherapist or Chiropractor will check your elbow, arm, and neck for signs of golfer's elbow. They may apply pressure to different areas or ask you to move your arm in certain ways.
• Specific tests: There are several tests that can help diagnose golfer's elbow, such as:
  • Golfer's elbow test: Bending your wrist forward against resistance
  • Resisted wrist pronation: Turning your palm down against resistance
  • Tinel's test: Tapping over the ulnar nerve at the elbow to check for nerve involvement
• Grip strength tests: To check if your grip has been weakened by golfer's elbow
• Imaging tests: In some cases, X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans may be recommended.

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What role does imaging play in diagnosing golfer's elbow?

While golfer's elbow is often diagnosed through physical examination, imaging tests can sometimes be helpful. These may include:

• X-rays: These can't show soft tissue damage but can rule out other problems like arthritis or a fracture.
• Ultrasound: This can show if there's inflammation in the tendons and can help guide treatment.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This gives a detailed view of the soft tissues and can show the extent of tendon damage.

At Tangram Health, our Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Exercise Physiologists in Sydney can refer you for these tests if necessary and explain what the results mean for your condition and treatment.

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How is golfer's elbow treated?

Treatment for golfer's elbow depends on the severity of your symptoms and how long you've had them. At Tangram Health, we offer a range of treatments, including:

• Rest and activity modification: Avoiding activities that worsen your pain can help the tendons heal.
• Ice or heat therapy: To reduce pain and inflammation.
• Exercises: Our Physios, Chiros, and EP's can teach you exercises to improve the flexibility and strength of your forearm muscles.
• Bracing: Wearing a special brace or strap can help reduce stress on the injured tendons.
• Manual therapy: Techniques like massage, mobilisation, and manipulation can help reduce pain and improve function.
• Pain relief: Over-the-counter pain medications or prescription drugs may be recommended to manage pain and inflammation.
• Injections: In some cases, corticosteroid injections or other types of injections might be used. These are often done by a doctor and we can recommend some specialists and imaging centres to get this done.
• Surgery: In severe cases or when other treatments haven't helped, surgery might be necessary.

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When is surgery required for golfer's elbow?

Surgery for golfer's elbow is generally only considered when:

• Conservative treatments haven't improved your symptoms after 6 to 12 months
• You have severe, persistent pain
• Your symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life or work

The most common surgery for golfer's elbow involves removing the damaged tendon tissue and reattaching healthy tendon to the bone. This can be done through a traditional open surgery or a minimally invasive procedure.

If surgery is being considered, our Physios and Chiros can help you understand the procedure, recommend some good orthopaedic surgeons, and guide you through the post-surgical rehabilitation process afterwards.

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What role does exercise play in treating golfer's elbow?

Exercise is a crucial part of treating and preventing golfer's elbow. It helps to:

• Strengthen the muscles in your forearm
• Improve flexibility in your wrist and elbow
• Reduce pain and stiffness
• Improve your grip strength
• Prevent future episodes of golfer's elbow

Our Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Exercise Physiologists at Tangram Health will design an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. This might include:

• Wrist flexor stretches
• Forearm strengthening exercises
• Eccentric exercises (lengthening the muscle while it's under tension)
• Grip strengthening exercises

Remember, it's important to start gently and gradually increase the intensity of your exercises. This helps respect any inflamed or irritated tendons in the elbow.  

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How does bracing help with golfer's elbow?

Bracing is often recommended as part of the treatment for golfer's elbow. Here's how it helps:

• Reduces stress on the injured tendons: By spreading the force over a larger area
• Provides compression: Which can help reduce pain and inflammation
• Reminds you to modify your movements: Wearing a brace can make you more aware of how you're using your arm
• Can be worn during activities: To provide support while you're working or playing sports

At Tangram Health, our Physiotherapists and Chiropractors in Sydney can supply and fit you with the right brace and show you how to use it effectively.

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How can I prevent golfer's elbow or stop it from getting worse?

While you can't prevent all cases of golfer's elbow, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or prevent it from worsening:

• Use proper technique: Whether you're playing sports or doing work tasks, make sure you're using the correct form.
• Strengthen your forearm muscles: Regular exercises can help build up the muscles that support your elbow.
• Stretch before activities: Gentle stretching can help prepare your muscles for work or play.
• Use the right equipment: Make sure your sports equipment or work tools are the right size and weight for you.
• Take breaks: If you do repetitive arm movements, take regular breaks to rest your arms.
• Gradually increase activity: If you're starting a new sport or job, gradually build up your time and intensity.
• Maintain overall fitness: Good general fitness can help prevent many types of injuries.

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When should I see a healthcare professional about elbow pain?

You should consider seeing a healthcare professional if:

• You have persistent pain on the inner part of your elbow
• Your elbow pain is affecting your sleep or daily activities
• You're having difficulty gripping objects
• Your symptoms have been getting worse over time
• You've tried home remedies without success

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Can golfer's elbow heal on its own?

In some cases, particularly if caught early, mild golfer's elbow may improve with rest and simple home care. However, without proper treatment, it can become chronic and lead to long-term pain and decreased function. That's why it's important to seek professional help if you're experiencing persistent symptoms.

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How long does it take to recover from golfer's elbow?

Recovery time can vary greatly depending on the severity of your condition and the treatment approach:

• For mild cases treated early: You might see improvement in a few weeks to a couple of months.
• For more severe or chronic cases: Recovery can take several months, with some people needing up to a year to regain full strength and function.

Remember, everyone's recovery is different. Factors like your age, overall health, and how well you follow your treatment plan can all affect your recovery time.

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Can I still play sports or work with golfer's elbow?

Whether you can continue playing sports or working with golfer's elbow depends on the severity of your condition and the nature of your activities. In many cases, you may need to modify your activities or take a break to allow healing. Your healthcare provider can give you specific advice based on your situation.

At Tangram Health, our Physios, Chiros, and EPs can work with you to develop strategies for returning to your activities safely, such as modifying your technique, using appropriate equipment, or incorporating specific exercises to support your recovery.

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Are there any home remedies for golfer's elbow?

While it's important to get professional treatment for golfer's elbow, there are some things you can do at home to help manage your symptoms:

• Rest your arm: Avoid activities that cause pain.
• Apply ice or heat: Ice can help reduce pain and swelling, while heat can help relax the muscles.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with pain and inflammation.
• Try gentle stretches: Simple wrist and forearm stretches can help, but be careful not to overdo it.

Remember, these home remedies should complement, not replace, professional treatment.

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Is golfer's elbow the same as tennis elbow?

While golfer's elbow and tennis elbow are similar conditions, they affect different parts of the elbow:

• Golfer's elbow affects the inner part of the elbow
• Tennis elbow affects the outer part of the elbow

Both conditions can involve inflammation of the tendons that attach to the elbow, but they involve different muscle groups. It's possible to have both conditions at the same time.

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Take home message

Golfer's elbow is a common condition that can significantly impact your daily life and activities. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with golfer's elbow can find relief and improve their elbow function.

At Tangram Health, our team of experienced Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, and Exercise Physiologists can help you manage your golfer's elbow effectively. We offer a range of treatments and can provide personalised advice on exercises, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications to help you achieve long-term elbow health. Remember, early intervention is key in managing golfer's elbow.

If you're experiencing persistent elbow pain or weakness, don't hesitate to contact us at Tangram Health. We have clinics conveniently located around Sydney, in Mt Kuring-Gai, Asquith, Willoughby, Milsons Point, Dural, and Blacktown, so you can get the right advice and treatment for your golfers elbow.