Golfer's Elbow

Overusing your forearms, whether because you play a sport, work a repetitive job, or carry heavy loads, can lead to golfer’s elbow. For pain relief now and improved long-term outcomes, turn to the experienced orthopedic surgeons at Austin Sports Medicine. The practice has locations in Central and South Austin, as well as offices in Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and Pflugerville, Texas, so that you can have ready access to physical therapy and a wide range of personalized solutions. To book a golfer’s elbow consultation with a sports medicine expert, call the office or use the online scheduling tool today.

What is golfer’s elbow?

You don’t have to play golf to develop this painful form of tendonitis. Golfer’s elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis, is also associated with playing tennis, working hands-on jobs like construction, or carrying heavy food trays.

Even office work can place strain on your wrists and arms, leading to the minute strains that gradually tear the tendons and result in golfer’s elbow. If you don’t see a doctor for the condition, it eventually weakens your grip, limits your elbow’s range of motion, and causes chronic pain.

What are the symptoms of golfer’s elbow?

The symptoms don’t usually come on quickly. Instead, they might begin with easy-to-ignore issues like inner elbow pain that is worse in the early morning. Other issues might include:

• Numbness or tingling in your hand
• Aching wrist or forearm pain
• Pain when you make a fist
• Weakened grip
• Pain radiating up and down your arm

The condition usually impacts your dominant arm since it takes the lion’s share of the strain you accrue during daily activities. Your risk is greater if you smoke, have diabetes, or are obese.

Can I prevent golfer’s elbow?

Warm up your forearms and wrists during warmups for sports or other strenuous activities, and ask the team about stretches and strengthening exercises. As sports medicine experts, they can also help you adjust your sports equipment or improve your technique for better longevity.

How is golfer’s elbow diagnosed?

The Austin Sports Medicine team performs a thorough evaluation of your elbow, its range of motion, and your symptoms. They may also order scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

How is golfer's elbow treated?

Austin Sports Medicine personalizes your care, so they’ll consider your lifestyle, current pain levels, and goals when developing a treatment plan. You’ll need to give your arm a break as much as possible, and the team may recommend:

• Icing the area
• Wearing a brace or night splint
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Kinesiology tape
• Physical therapy

If you still have persistent pain, you might require additional treatments like:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve pain
• Massage to promote healing and reduce pain
• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy
• Topical nitroglycerin patches
• Corticosteroid injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Prolotherapy
• Botulinum toxin injections
• Ultrasound-guided percutaneous tenotomy

The good news is that most people don’t need surgery to recover from golfer’s elbow. The team at Austin Sports Medicine can provide effective solutions and help you avoid long-term problems. Schedule your consultation via the website or call the nearest office today.