Golfer's elbow treatment

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About Golfers elbow

Golfer’s elbow - also known as medial epicondylitis - is a condition that causes pain in the forearm and wrist. Unlike tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is commonly felt on the inside of the forearm.

Golfer’s elbow is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons in your forearm that connect to the bony bump in the elbow. These tendons control wrist and finger movement. The damage that causes golfer’s elbow is usually the result of repetitive movements with improper form.

Common symptoms of golfer's elbow include:


  • Pain in the inside of the forearm
  • Numbness or tingling in the affected arm
  • Lack of mobility or stiffness in the elbow
  • Weakness in the hands or wrists.

Although it is called golfer’s elbow, this condition can be caused by several physical activities. Improper form, or not properly warming up, during throwing, hitting, or weightlifting can lead to or exacerbate the symptoms of golfer’s elbow.

These activities can lead to or worsen golfer’s elbow:

- Tennis: Improper motion used for a backhand swing is one of the most common causes of golfer’s elbow.

- Baseball/ Softball: Improper pitching form can lead to tendon damage and golfer’s elbow.

- Weight training: Exercises that utilize the wrist (such as bicep curls) can lead to tendon damage if performed without proper form.

- Occupational movement: Movements performed frequently in occupations such as construction or carpentry can lead to tendon damage and golfer’s elbow.

Golfer’s elbow rarely occurs suddenly. Movements need to be repeated for over an hour a day several days a week to develop golfer’s elbow. If you are obese, or over the age of 40, you may be at a greater risk of developing golfer’s elbow. To prevent injury, make sure you properly stretch and warm up your muscles before activity. In addition, you might consider strengthening the wrist and forearm muscles through exercises such as squeezing a tennis ball.

Below is a list of treatment options used to manage the symptoms of golfer’s elbow. During your appointment, talk to your health care provider about the treatment plan that’s right for you.

Most cases of golfer’s elbow can be managed and treated with simple self-care strategies. These include:

- Take an OTC pain reliever. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) are widely available over the counter and can reduce pain caused by golfer’s elbow.

- Rest. To prevent further injury to the affected area, take a break from the activity that may have caused the injury. Check in with your health care provider before starting your exercise routine or recreation again, as returning to activity too soon can worsen the condition.

- Ice. Apply ice packs to the affected area to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. This should be done for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day. Wrap an ice pack in a towel to prevent the cold surface from damaging your skin.

- Stretch. Stretch the affected area gently while you are taking a break from your activity to keep the muscles and tendons in the forearm pliable. Additionally, you can use strengthening exercises with light weights to build up musculature and prevent further injury.

If the symptoms of golfer’s elbow haven’t gone away after 6-12 months, your doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgery that will repair the tendons in your arm. This is very rare, but may be an option for those who have not had their condition effectively treated with self-care strategies.

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