Golfer’s Elbow

Tendonitis injuries do not tend to deviate very much when it comes to the negative symptoms that manifest with them. Pain and tenderness, for instance, are to be expected with any manner of injury in this category. Specifically, with golfer’s elbow, the pain is usually found along the inner side of the elbow. That being said, sometimes this discomfort may radiate down along the inside of the forearm. As you may be able to guess, this pain only worsens when the patient performs motions that strain these structures.

It is also common to experience feelings of stiffness. In the absolute worst-case scenarios, this stiffness may be severe enough that it prevents the patient from being able to properly form a fist. Aside from stiffness, the patient should also expect to experience some weakness in the hands and wrists. Additionally, some patients report that they have sensations of numbness or tingling that accompany their golfer’s elbow. Generally speaking, sensations such as these are most often felt in one or more of the digits (most often, in the little and ring fingers).

Golfer’s elbow may occur with a sudden or gradual onset, so it may not always be immediately apparent that you have this condition. If you don’t find relief through rest and pain medication, then you should seek out medical consultation. Furthermore, in some instances, it may be necessary to seek out immediate medical evaluation. For example, if your elbow appears deformed, or if you have a fever along with your elbow inflammation, then you should seek immediate care.

When it comes to golfer’s elbow, the best form of treatment is prevention. There are a number of ways to do this. In fact, it is quite likely that you already are taking preventative measures against injury and don’t even know it! For instance, if you are already practicing proper lifting and form techniques—or if you take breaks at the first signs of elbow pain—then you are on the right track. Additionally, if you have some of the risk factors for the condition, then it may also be a good idea to perform some forearm strengthening exercises to combat this.

But, maybe you already have golfer’s elbow and are wondering what to do. Thankfully, there are treatment options available to you that you can implement at home. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are often highly effective in treating the condition. Aside from that, you will also witness great results from simply resting your elbow. You may find even more relief through the application of ice or through utilizing a brace. Additionally, performing stretches and strengthening exercises are not a bad idea. But, you should probably seek out professional advice for that. You don’t want to hurt yourself if you are already injured, after all.

In exceptionally rare cases, there are surgical treatment options for golfer’s elbow. However, your doctor will not usually consider these unless you haven’t responded to conservative methods within a 6-12 month period. Typically, doctors perform a medial epicondyle release to treat golfer’s elbow. This procedure involves removing the affected tendon (or a portion of it) and replacing it with a healthy donor tendon.

Contact Us

If your golfer’s elbow has not improved with conservative treatment methods, please contact NJ Spine & Orthopedic at (855) 586-2615. Our team of highly trained surgeons and medical staff are well-versed in the most up-to-date and minimally invasive procedures. You can rest assured in knowing that we will put you on an individual care plan that is tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today!