Golfer’s elbow is a form of tendonitis that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. The pain centers on the bony bump on the inside (Medially) of your elbow and may radiate into the forearm. It usually gets better with rest. The medical term is medial epicondylitis.
Aetiology
Medial epicondylar tendinopathy has a lower incidence than lateral epicondylopathy (tennis elbow), with the former containing only 9 to 20% of all epicondylopathy diagnoses. The ‘golfer’s elbow’ and ‘pitcher’s elbow’ are synonyms. A staged process of pathologic change in the tendon can result in structural breakdown and irreparable fibrosis or calcification. Patients typically report persistent medial-sided elbow pain that is exacerbated by daily activities. Athletes may be particularly symptomatic during the late cocking or early acceleration phases of the throwing motion, The pathology occurs in baseball pitchers as a result of high-energy valgus forces created by the overhead throw. It has also been reported with tennis, bowling, archery, weightlifting, javelin throwing, racquetball and American football. However 90 to 95% of all cases do not involve sportsmen . Because chronic repetitive concentric or eccentric contractile loading of the wrist flexors and pronator are the most common aetiology, occupations such as carpentry, plumbing and meat cutting have also been implicated. The pathology may also be produced by sudden violence to these tendons in a single traumatic event. In many cases trauma at work had been identified as the cause of the symptoms . More specific occupational physical factors associated with medial epicondylopathy are forceful activities among men and with repetitive movements of the arm among women. Current smokers and former smokers are also associated with medial epicondylopathy, so do patients who suffer from diabetes type 2 .
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms
With golfer’s elbow, the pain you have can happen suddenly or with time. If you have golfer’s elbow, you might have:
Stiffness in your elbow
Tenderness and pain, usually on the inner side of your elbow or the inner side of your forearm, but you could have pain with certain movements, like making a fist or swinging a golf club
Tingling or numbness in your fingers (usually the ring and little fingers)
Weakness in your hands and wrists
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms
Golfer's elbow is usually caused by overusing the muscles in your forearm, which lets you grip, rotate your arm, and flex your wrist. Repetitive flexing, gripping, or swinging can cause pulls or tiny tears in the tendons. Despite the name, this condition doesn't just affect golfers.
How do you fix golfer's elbow?
Try the following:
1.Rest. Put your golf game or other repetitive activities on hold until the pain is gone.
2.Ice the affected area. Apply ice packs to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day for several days.
3.Use a brace.
4.Stretch and strengthen the affected area.
5. Ultrasound Therapy.
6.Dry needling.
7.Anti Inflammatory Drug.
