Golfer's Elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is an injury to the tendons on the inside of the elbow and muscles of the forearm (those in line with the palm of your hand) which can result from excessive force being used to bend the wrist. Despite its name, it’s not only a golfer problem; any activity which requires great force applied to the wrist can cause the condition. Hard throwing motions are a frequent cause, leading Golfer’s Elbow to occasionally be known as Baseball Elbow.
The main symptoms of Golfer's Elbow is pain along the inside of the forearm from the elbow to the wrist. Generally the pain will occur when bending the wrist toward the palm (especially against resistance) or when squeezing a firm object in the hand.
A physical examination is usually enough to diagnose Golfer’s Elbow. Your doctor may have you lay your arm down on a table with your palm facing up, and have you raise your hand off the table against resistance. If pain occurs during this motion it is most likely medial epicondylitis. Many cases of Golfer's Elbow can be alleviated simply with rest and using over-the-counter medications to help ease any discomfort. Regularly icing the affected area can also help. For acute cases an injection of corticosteroids might be used to provide more lasting relief. Avoidance of heavy lifting, especially in a “palms up” position is recommended.
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
If simple rest, icing and basic medication don’t do the trick, or you believe you’re at risk for recurring cases of Golfer’s Elbow based on your lifestyle, it’s worth consulting with a physical therapist. They can recommend and guide you through strengthening exercises such as forearm and wrist extensor stretches, and forearm pronation and supination, to make your muscles and tendons more resilient against the kind of motions you’ll be subjecting them to. They may also recommend soft tissue rolling using a commonplace object like a tennis ball.
While you might not immediately look to them as a culprit, your PT will also work with you to improve the mobility in your neck and shoulders, which can help prevent your forearms from having to overcompensate for a poor range of motion.
Overall the prognosis for Golfer's Elbow is good, even for people whose activities are a risk factor. Some preventative measures and upkeep work can go a long way to keeping you pain free.
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