Golfer’s elbow
What is Golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is a relatively common condition which can significantly impede normal daily activities. The good news, however, is that the condition is very rarely serious and there are things that you can do to set you up for a successful recovery.
Golfer’s elbow, also known as ‘Medial elbow tendinopathy’, is called Golfer’s elbow because it can be common among people who play golf. It also affects people who play sports which involve throwing, such as cricket and baseball, as well as climbers or manual workers. However, the condition can affect anybody. No matter how long you’ve had this problem, with the right strategies and an understanding of the condition, you will be able to overcome it.
Golfer’s elbow pain comes from the tendon that attaches your forearm muscles to your inner elbow. These muscles are the ones that make your fingers curl up when you grip something. It is thought that it is caused by the tendon not being able to keep up with the demands it is being asked to do.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain and tenderness which is localised to the inner elbow.
- A tender spot can usually be felt over the bone on the inner aspect of the elbow.
- The area will also often feel stiff first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
- Pain on gripping activities, particularly when bending the palm downwards or rotating the forearm inwards such as opening jars.
- Other movements which may be painful include writing, typing, lifting, pulling and twisting.
- Pain, felt when starting an activity, often eases but then can increase if continued or when finished.
Factors that may play a role in the development of Golfer’s elbow include:
- A sudden increase or change in activity levels. Particularly activities which involve the arm. An example may be a sudden increase in tasks that you would not do on a regular basis like gardening, spring cleaning or D.I.Y.
- Certain health conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Being overweight, particularly weight around the middle.
- Menopausal changes in women aged 40 to 60.
- An inactive, sedentary lifestyle.
- Smoking.
- Golfer’s elbow can also be triggered by life changes, including periods of stress, illness or the feeling run down.
Call 999 or go to A+E if:
- You’ve had a recent fall or injury, impacting the arm alongside bruising, a change in contours of the elbow, an inability to straighten the elbow or weight bear through the arm.
- The arm is swollen alongside a high temperature or you feel hot and shivery.
- Arm pain has come on suddenly and it occurs with pressure, heaviness or squeezing across your chest.
- The elbow is extremely painful and difficult to move.
4 facts about Golfer’s elbow
It is ok for it to be sore during exercise as you are training a sore area. The tendon needs time to adapt to new activity. Be regular and patient with training and gradually building up over time.
Evidence shows that loading the muscle and tendon (strengthening exercises which challenge them) is the best treatment for Golfer’s elbow.
Prolonged resting is not good for general health or for the health of the tendon. Tendons stay healthy by using them regularly and can work better by gradually using them more over time.
Golfer’s elbow is a “clinical diagnosis”, i.e. one that is made in clinic with you and the physiotherapist, taking a careful history and testing the area. Routine scanning of the area is therefore not required. Scans also don’t predict how much pain you feel, and image findings are often unchanged when people do get better. Scans are usually only needed if you have suffered a traumatic injury such as a fall or when symptoms are atypical.