Golfer's Elbow: Symptoms, treatment and prevention

Also known as medial epicondylitis, Golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. Most of the pain centers on the bony bump on the inside of your elbow and may even spread down into the forearm and wrist area.

Golfer’s elbow is characterized by:

Pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow. Sometimes the pain extends along the inner side of your forearm. Pain typically worsens with certain movements.
Stiffness. Your elbow may feel stiff, and it may hurt to make a fist.
Weakness. You may have a weakness in your hands and wrists.
Numbness or tingling. These sensations might radiate into one or more fingers, usually the ring and little fingers.

The main cause of golfer’s elbow is the overuse of the muscles in the forearm that allow you to grip, rotate your arm, and flex your wrist. The repetitive flexing, gripping, and swinging of a golf club can cause the tendon to tear or pull.

How To Treat Golfer’s Elbow

The first thing you should do is apply ice (wrapped in a cloth as to not directly contact your skin with the ice) to your elbow for about 15-20 minutes. Repeat this step three or four times a day.

One of the most important treatments for golfer’s elbow is rest. You should avoid movements that aggravate the injury and could make it worse. A good way to reduce movement and prevent further injury would be to invest in a splint or strap to prevent against pulling off the injured tendon.

If the symptoms continue to be troublesome, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter drugs, like ibuprofen or aspirin, to help reduce pain and swelling.

How To Prevent Golfer’s Elbow

The main key to preventing golfer’s elbow is to avoid overusing your hand, wrist, and elbow. If you feel even the slightest bit of a pain in your elbow while playing, immediately stop the activity to avoid further damage.

Golfer’s elbow is also caused by using the wrong equipment, like a golf club that has a grip that is too large. Be sure to purchase equipment that is right for you. By doing this, it will lower your chances of getting golfer’s elbow. Likewise, the bad technique is also another factor that can cause golfer’s elbow. Make sure you have the right posture and stance when swinging your golf club to help prevent damage to your elbow tendons.

To help prevent golfer’s elbow from hurting your game, make sure you have the right equipment for you. Be sure to check out our full line of Golf Clubs and grips at our online store www.golfoy.com