(Medial Epicondylitis) Golfer's Elbow

Golfer's Elbow or Medial Epicondylitis is a condition when the inner part of the elbow becomes painful and tender, usually as a result of a specific strain, overuse, or a direct bang. Sometimes no specific cause is found. 

Symptoms

The inner part of the elbow is painful and tender to touch. Movements of the elbow, and also movements which involve lifting, with the hand underneath, palm upwards, hurt.  

Causes

Although called golfer's elbow, medial epicondylitis is much more commonly seen in people who are over using their arm doing something else.
The most common cause is over use of the muscles which are attached to the bone at this part of the elbow. That is to say, the muscles which pull the palm of the hand towards the arm (the wrist flexors). All the flexor muscles of the hand attach to the elbow at the inner part (the medial epicondyle). If they are strained or over used they become inflamed, which means they are swollen, painful, and tender to touch.
Sometimes the inflammation is caused by a direct injury or bang. Sometimes, especially when the cause is direct injury or strain, the muscles are actually partially torn.
Rarely the inflammation comes on without any definite cause, and this may be due to an arthritis, rheumatism or gout. Sometimes the problem is partly or completely due to a neck problem, which is causing pain in the elbow via the nerves from the neck.

Diagnosis

Your doctor or physiotherapist will test for tenderness over or near to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. He or she will also test to see whether the pain gets worse when you bend the palm towards the arm (flex the wrist) against resistance. In the event of both these signs being present, it is likely that you have golfer's elbow.
Your doctor may also examine your neck, as this may be the cause or part of the problem. After all many of the things that might strain your elbow might also put a strain on your neck.

Treatment

 

• Rest helps, with avoidance of the activities which over use the elbow.
• Physiotherapy treatments, which may include heat / ultrasound therapy.
• Use of anti inflammatory drugs and ordinary pain killers (analgesics).
• Your doctor may suggest an injection of a small dose of steroid to the affected area. This is not the sort of steroid banned for athletes. If used it can last for up to three months, and although it may need to be repeated you seldom need more than two or possibly three injections.