Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow) Treatment in New York
What is golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)?
Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is similar to tennis elbow, which is an injury to the elbow and forearm due to repetitive arm motions. Similarly, golfer’s elbow is an injury that causes pain in the forearm tendons near the elbow, which may spread through your arm and down to your wrist. However, with golfer’s elbow, the pain radiates through the inside of the elbow rather than the outside. Golfer’s elbow can occur in many different kinds of people as a result of repeatedly clenching the wrist and forearm muscles. The condition most commonly affects:
- Golfers
- Weightlifters
- Baseball or softball players
- Tennis players
If you’re suffering from inner elbow pain, you may have golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis). At Performance Health in NYC and Pearl River, our board-certified doctors and specialists are experts in providing golfer’s elbow treatment. Schedule an appointment using the form on this page for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term pain relief.
Causes of golfer’s elbow
Medial epicondylitis occurs when the muscles and tendons controlling your fingers and wrist become damaged after repetitive motions. This usually will not occur after one or two days of the activity. Instead, golfer’s elbow usually only affects those who repeat the arm movement every day over a long period of time. Some of the most common movements that cause stress and damage to the tendons over time include the following:
- Swinging a golf club too forcefully or with improper technique
- Pitching a softball or baseball with improper technique
- Weightlifting with improper technique
- Using improper tennis gear
- Raking
- Chopping wood
- Assembly line work
- Using a computer
- Painting
- Hammering
Golfer’s elbow symptoms
Symptoms that may indicate golfer’s elbow and that warrant a visit to Performance Health for an evaluation include the following:
- Wrist and inner elbow pain or tenderness
- Inability to bend the elbowrange of motion
- Difficulty making a fist
- Hand and wrist weakness
- Elbow or forearm swelling
- Tingling in the arm that radiates to the fingertips
Golfer’s elbow can onset as an intense and immediate pain all at once or can gradually onset over time. Some patients notice the pain intensifying when they perform one or more of the below tasks:
- Shaking hands
- Turning a doorknob
- Lifting a heavy weight
- Gripping a small object, such as a baseball
- Swinging a golf club, tennis racket, or other sports equipment
- Flexing your wrist
Risk factors for golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow can occur in anyone of any age or gender, however, the below factors may increase your risk of developing the injury:
- Age – Most people who develop golfer’s elbow are over 40 years of age.
- Weight – Being heavily overweight or obese increases your chances of developing
- Smoking – Golfer’s elbow tends to onset more often in patients who are smokers.
- Repetitive activities – Participating in an activity that uses repetitive motions increases your chances of developing golfer’s elbow.
Golfer’s elbow treatment options
When conservative treatments do not improve golfer’s elbow, your doctor may suggest one of the following golfer’s elbow treatments to avoid elbow surgery:
- Physical therapy and myofascial release
- Pain management
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation
- Massage therapy
- Regenerative and alternative medicine
If you are suffering from elbow pain, the first step to improving your health and returning to your normal activities is to schedule an evaluation at Performance Health. Our physicians can help you get back to performance-level health. Call one of our New York offices at 212.486.8616, or fill out the form on this page to request an appointment now.