Warm weather is here, and that means many will be hitting the links to take advantage of the longer days. But golfers aren’t the only ones who suffer from this condition. There are several other actions that can lead to this injury.
What is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons that control your fingers and wrists due to repeated use. Pain and stiffness are usually located on the inside of the elbow. You may also experience weakness in your hand or wrist and feel tingling sensations in your ring and little fingers.
Golfer’s Elbow Causes
As the name suggests, many people who develop this condition are golfers. The nature of the golf swing being used repeatedly applies quite a bit of tension on the tendons and muscles. But this injury is not exclusive to golfers. Many other activities can cause undue stress and lead to golfer’s elbow. Some of these activities are:
- Martial arts. More specifically, the punching motion present in martial arts moves
- Rope and rock climbing
- Throwing
- Baseball or other sports that require you to swing a bat
- Weightlifting
In each of these activities, the main concern is hyperextension of the arm, which can lead to tendon and muscle damage.
Golfer’s Elbow Relief
If you have been diagnosed with golfer’s elbow, the most important thought on your mind is how to relieve the pain. Fortunately, there are treatments available. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your injury. For mild cases, over-the-counter pain medications may be effective. It is important to refrain from the activity that caused the damage until the area is healed. Therapies such as icing the elbow, using a brace and stretching the affected area can also provide relief. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. Medial epicondyle release surgery works by taking pressure off the inflamed tendon.
Golfer’s elbow can cause you to miss out on activities that bring you pleasure, so it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible. Dr. Jonathan Glashow can evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you, so you can get back to doing the things you love. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
