(Pain in the Elbow)
A repetitive strain injury caused by damage to the tendons (connects muscle to bone) on the inner side of the elbow. If left untreated, the pain can spread up to the neck or down to the fingers.
It affects both men and women equally. It is a painful condition and usually gets better with rest.
Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow
(Pain in the Elbow)
Golfer’s Elbow causes a variety of symptoms, like,
- Pain
- Weakness in the arm
- Numbness or tingling
- Stiffness
- Weakening grip
Stop your activities if you have elbow pain to prevent it from worsening.
Causes and Risk Factors of Golfer’s Elbow
(Pain in the Elbow)
The primary cause of a golfer’s elbow is damage to the muscles and tendons of your wrist and fingers due to repeated stress. Some common causes include:
- Playing racket sports such as tennis
- Lifting weights without proper technique
- Improper sports techniques
- Forceful, repetitive occupational movements (more than an hour a day on many days)
- Age 40 or older
- Obesity
- Smoking
It occurs when more force is applied to an area than the average healthy tissue can handle.
Diagnosis of Golfer’s Elbow
(Pain in the Elbow)
Your doctor clinically diagnoses your golfer’s elbow based on your injury history and symptoms.
Tests include:
- An ultrasound scan or MRI
- CT Scan
- Bone Scans
Your doctor will also examine your arm for specific movements that cause pain.
Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow
(Pain in the Elbow)
There are a variety of treatments that can help heal the arm and repeat the injury, such as:
- Ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Wearing a brace on your forearm
- Strengthening exercises to heal muscle damage
- Medications to relieve pain
- Steroid Injections
- Surgery (Rare Cases)
- Platelet-rich plasma injections
- Physical Therapy
Prevention of Golfer’s Elbow
(Pain in the Elbow)
A few preventative measures to stop the recurrence of golfer’s elbow are
- Regular arm strengthening exercises
- Stretching the arms daily before and after strenuous activity
- Maintaining correct posture while lifting heavy objects
- Using the right and safe equipment for the sports
- Take rest in between exercises or any physical activities
Avoiding overuse of the tendons is the key to preventing a golfer’s elbow.
Complications of Golfers elbow
Golfer’s elbow, if left untreated, may result in:
- Persistent pain or weakness
- Rupture of muscles at the elbow (this is very rare)
FAQ: Golfer’s Elbow (Pain in the Elbow)
How Long Does It Take to Heal Golfer’s Elbow?
It takes three to six months to heal a golfer’s elbow through conservative treatment. The healing process can be slow.
For speedy recovery, it is important to follow all instructions given by your doctor.
FAQ: Golfer’s Elbow
When to See a Doctor for a Golfer’s Elbow?
(Pain in the Elbow)
Go to your doctor if you
- Cannot bend your elbow
- Have Deformed elbow
- Have Hot or inflamed elbow and Fever
- Suspect a broken bone