Medial Epicondylitis “Golfer’s Elbow”
If you feel pain when you bend your wrist towards your palm, or your elbow feels a little stiff and there is a tingling sensation that travels from your elbow to your wrist, golfer’s elbow might just be the culprit.
The good news is you don’t have to keep taking those painkillers or contemplating surgery, physical therapy can help relieve pain and bring flexibility to your elbow.
If you are wondering how? call us today to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. They will examine your elbow, and create a custom treatment plan for you that doesn’t include harmful pain meds or surgery.
What is Golfer’s Elbow?
Medial epicondylitis is also known as golfers elbow or throwers elbow occurs when the tendons on your forearm that attaches to the bone bump in the inside of your elbow become inflamed or irritated. These tendons enable the wrist to bend towards the palm.
Remember, that a tendon attaches muscles to bones. The inflammation of the tendons causes pain along your forearm and wrist.
Golfers elbow is different from “tennis elbow”, which occurs on the outside of the elbow.
Although referred to as a golfer’s elbow, it doesn’t affect only golfers. It can also happen to tennis players, other sports and activities that require the use of the wrist and arm
What Causes Medial Epicondylitis?
Golfer’s elbow is caused when there is damage to the tendons and muscles around the wrist and fingers. In other words, excessive force when bending the wrist towards the palm.
This can happen from swinging a golf club repeatedly or swinging a tennis racquet repeatedly. This is why medial epicondylitis is usually common in athletes.
Other risk factors for golfers elbow include:
Throwing a javelin
Chopping wood with an ax
Typing on the computer
Carrying a heavy suitcase
Playing an instrument
Lifting weights with improper techniques
Vocational activities such as carpentry, painting, that use the wrist and arm repeatedly
Age
What are the Symptoms of Medial Epicondylitis
The symptoms of golfer’s elbow can be mild or severe and may develop over time or occur suddenly. You may experience
- Pain from your elbow to your wrist, on the same side of your little finger
- Pain when you bend your wrist towards your palm
- Stiffness of the elbow
- Arm and wrist weakness
- Swelling and tenderness to touch along the side of the forearm
- Numbness or tingling sensation from your elbow to your wrist and fingers
Diagnosing Medial Epicondylitis?
Diagnosis is very crucial, as these symptoms may be similar to other conditions associated with the elbow.
A physical examination and imaging tests such as an X-ray or an MRI-scan would be carried out to diagnose and rule out other options.
For physical examination, a PT will bend your wrist against resistance to diagnose. If you have golfer’s elbow, pain is usually felt on the inside of the elbow.
Treatment for Medial Epicondylitis
Physical therapy and surgery are the two major treatments. Usually, when using physical therapy surgery can be avoided.
Your physical therapist will recommend you do the following:
- Rest, and stop activities that could trigger the pain
- Apply an ice bag to the affected area
A PT may also recommend that your wrist is put in a brace to limit movement for a while. Then, manual therapy and therapeutic exercises (strength and motion exercise) are performed subsequently until your elbow is healed.
Get Started on Physical Therapy for Medial Epicondylitis “Golfers Elbow” Today
Physical therapy will help in managing your pain and restoring motion and function to your elbow, wrist, and fingers.
Polygon PT offers a range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, as well as education to help to prevent golfer’s elbow subsequently.
Request an appointment with a physical therapist today if you have medial epicondylitis or any other kind of elbow pain.
