Does gripping a coffee mug send a sharp pain shooting through the inside of your elbow? Does your arm protest every time you carry groceries? Simple tasks become hurdles when you're dealing with golfer’s elbow, a condition that doesn't just affect athletes but anyone relying on their hands and arms for work or daily life.
David Lintner, MD, in Houston, Texas, is a leading orthopedic surgeon and excels at diagnosing and treating all types of sports injuries, including this frustrating problem. He’s one of the most trusted sports medicine experts and has extensive experience, including serving as the head team physician for the Houston Astros.
Here, he explains what golfer’s elbow is, how it differs from tennis elbow, and how to relieve pain and accelerate healing.
Golfer’s elbow occurs when the tendons on the inner side of your elbow become inflamed. These tendons connect your forearm muscles to the bone and allow you to bend your wrist and grip objects.
Repetitive motion, overuse, or improper technique during activities such as golfing, tennis, weightlifting, or even typing can cause microtears in the tendons, leading to pain and stiffness.
Symptoms usually include:
If these symptoms sound familiar, you may have golfer’s elbow, not to be confused with tennis elbow.
While often mistaken for one another, golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow have distinct differences.
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) impacts the inner side of the elbow due to motions like swinging a golf club, pitching, or lifting weights.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the outer side of the elbow due to repetitive motions like swinging a racquet or using tools such as hammers.
Dr. Lintner diagnoses the problem and tailors your treatment to your unique needs.
Relieving your golfer’s elbow symptoms will take a combination of rest, exercises, pain management, and technique adjustments. Here are Dr. Lintner’s expert tips to ease your discomfort:
One of the most effective steps for relieving pain is to allow your injured tendons time to heal.
Rest is crucial, but finding a balance is equally important. Avoid complete inactivity to prevent stiffness in the elbow and surrounding muscles.
Ice helps reduce inflammation and provides short-term relief from pain. Place an ice pack or a frozen cloth over your inner elbow for 15-20 minutes every few hours. Be sure to use a barrier between the ice and your skin to avoid frostbite.
A counterforce brace for golfer's elbow can reduce strain on your tendons by redistributing stress and alleviating pain. Dr. Lintner often recommends this in conjunction with other treatments for extra support during recovery. Correct placement of the brace is critical! It DOES NOT belong on the painful spot, it should be placed below the tender area and around the fleshy part of the forearm muscle.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can temporarily subside the swelling and pain. Use them as directed, and consult Dr. Lintner if your symptoms persist.
Dr. Lintner may incorporate physical therapy into your treatment plan to restore your tendon strength and flexibility. For example:
Extend your arm in front of you with your palm facing up. With your other hand, gently push your fingers down and toward your body until you feel a stretch in the inner forearm. Hold this stretch for about 15-30 seconds and repeat three times.
Squeeze a soft stress ball or hand gripper to improve grip strength. Start slowly and increase repetitions over time.
Hold a light weight (1-2 pounds) with your palm facing up. Slowly lower the weight down while supporting it with your other hand. Repeat 8-12 times.
Consistency is key, so perform these exercises correctly to avoid further strain.
If your pain persists, Dr. Lintner may recommend:
Persistent cases may benefit from minimally invasive procedures. However, surgical intervention is rare, and Dr. Lintner only considers it when conservative measures have failed.
Whether you’re experiencing mild discomfort or significant restrictions from golfer's elbow, we can help. Call David Lintner, MD, in Houston, Texas, or book a consultation online to begin your path to pain-free living.
