Golfer’s elbow is also called epicondylitis and it is characterized by inflammation and pain at the area where the flexor tendons found in the forearms are connected to the upper arm. The pain can be felt on the bony area on the side of the elbow and spreads along the forearm. Performing any repetitive wrist, hand and forearm movement such as squash, tennis, bowling, cricket and other racquet sports can cause golfer’s elbow.
Symptoms of golfer’s elbow
- Stiffness of the elbow and causes pain when making a fist
- Elbow pain and tenderness in the inner part and spreads on the inner part of the forearm. The pain becomes severe when making certain movements.
- Weakness in the wrist and hands
- Numbness and tingling sensation and spreads to one or more finger especially the ring and the little fingers.
- Pain becomes severe when squeezing or pitching a ball; swinging a golf or racket; shaking hands; picking something with palms down; lifting weights; flexing the wrist and turning a doorknob.
- Strong wrist and finger movements
- Improper way of lifting, hitting and throwing
- Inadequate warm up or poor conditioning of the muscles
- Improper way of swinging or gripping of clubs when playing golf
- Not following proper pitching techniques in playing baseball or softball
- Improper techniques in lifting weights such as curling of the wrist when performing bicep exercises
- A person older than 40 years old
- Overweight or obese
- Performing repetitive activities usually for 2 hours every day
- Take plenty of rest. Avoid performing repetitive activities while in the healing stage to prevent making the condition worse.
- Apply ice pack on the affected elbow for at least 15-20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times every day for several days. Take the prescribed over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to lessen the inflammation and the pain.
- Use the prescribed counter force brace for the affected arm to prevent unnecessary movements and lessen the strain on the muscles and tendons.
- Wrap the affected area using elastic bandage or a splint to lessen the pressure placed on the tendons of the elbow.
- Perform stretching and strengthening exercises with the help of the physical therapist. Strengthening exercises or eccentric that stretch the tendons of the wrist extensor muscles to lessen the irritation on the area and restore range of movement of the affected area.