Golfer’s elbow: Causes, symptoms and treatment

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Causes, symptoms and treatment

In the case of golfer’s elbow (ulnar and medial humeral epicondylitis), the muscle attachments on the inside of the elbow are inflamed or damaged. It is usually caused by constantly recurring strain on the flexor muscles of the hand and elbow. This is the case during golf, for example, which is where the condition gets its name. However, it is much more common for golfer’s elbow to be caused by excessive strain during everyday activities or at work. Common symptoms then include pain and restriction of movement, which, however, only require surgical treatment in one of ten cases.

Das Bild zeigt einen Mechaniker in Arbeitskleidung, der einen Autoreifen montiert.Dabei trägt er eine EpiTrain Ellenbogenbandage von Bauerfeind, die bei einem Golferellenbogen Unterstützung und Schmerzlinderung bietet.

There are two strong rounded bony projections (epicondyles) on the elbow end of the humerus. The muscles that are involved in turning the forearm are inserted at these thickenings. They help to bend, stretch and stabilize the wrist and the elbow joint.

On the side of the little finger (ulnar side), there are two strong wrist flexor muscles as well as a muscle that is involved in rotating the forearm inward. The bone transitions in these two areas undergo a painful change when golfer’s elbow develops. Typical strain that triggers inflammatory degeneration includes:

Using a screwdriver and lifting heavy loads
Sustained working in incorrect and forced postures
Constant bending movements repeatedly carried out over a long time
Frequent jerking forces exerted on the hand and forearm, such as striking the ball when playing golf

Minute injuries (microtraumas) to the muscles and connective tissue develop over time as a result of this. Little by little, these cause inflammatory changes which then lead to pain when bending or turning the forearm, when lifting, or when pressure is applied to the affected area.

The inflammatory changes initially manifest itself in the form of pain when carrying out certain activities during which the affected muscles are tensed and strained. In most cases, this quickly subsides, but often recurs immediately as soon as the action is performed again. If the inflammation advances, the affected area will feel warm and will be painful under pressure, also resulting in redness and palpable swelling.

If no countermeasures are taken during the early stage, pain will be felt even at rest and under mild strain at some point, meaning that normal use of the arm is no longer possible. The pain then often radiates from the affected area into the entire arm.

Illustration der Anatomie des Ellenbogens mit einem Golferellenbogen. Beim Golferellenbogen (Epicondylitis ulnaris humeri, Epicondylitis medialis humeri) sind die Muskelansätze an der inneren Seite des Ellenbogens entzündet oder geschädigt.

Luckily, there are many methods that relieve pain and encourage damaged tissue to recover in the case of golfer’s elbow. Of course, the first step is to avoid the activities that trigger the condition. Treatment therefore focuses on preventing strain on the affected muscles and reducing inflammation.

Complete immobilization of the arm is usually not necessary. On the contrary: exercises carried out under therapeutic guidance and normal use of the arm in the pain-free range significantly help the healing process in golfer's elbow.

Various methods from physical therapy and physiotherapy are used to fight inflammation and reduce pain:

TENS currents – a treatment using stimulating electrical current to relieve pain – can also be carried out by patients themselves at home, using a mobile device
Other electrotherapy treatments such as iontophoresis (local application of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication using direct current)
Manual treatment of the inflamed muscle insertions carried out by physical therapists (e.g. transverse friction massage according to Cyriax)
Cryotherapy, using cold air or applying ice, for example
Ultrasound treatment, also using medical ointment (phonophoresis)
Physiotherapy exercise, practicing less strenuous forms of movement and postures, if applicable
Types of exercise that stretch the muscles involved in golfer’s elbow and thus reduce basic tension
If the condition has become chronic: botulinum toxin (botox) injections into the affected muscles

A support can also be used for golfer’s elbow to provide relief, with the main aim of stabilizing the wrist in a neutral position, thus preventing tension in the affected tissue.

Golfer’s elbow only requires surgical intervention if conservative treatment is not successful. This involves the surgeon separating part of the tendon insertions at the humerus to reduce muscle traction. Surgical denervation of the local nerves can also interrupt the constant pain signals from the affected area – although this is a last resort when other treatments remain ineffective.

Bildausschnitt einer Person mit einem grünen T-Shirt, die aufgrund eines Tennisarms Dehnungsübungen durchführt. Die Person trägt eine EpiTrain, eine schmerzlindernde Ellenbogenbandage von Bauerfeind, in der Farbe Beige.

At the beginning of treatment in particular, it is important to relieve the affected muscles and inflamed tissue. As this condition is primarily an issue concerning the muscles that bend the wrist and elbow joints, supports such as the EpiTrain are suitable here for stabilizing the elbow joint. This reduces muscle traction on the painful insertion, and it encourages pain and inflammation to subside, thus also supporting the effect of other therapeutic measures.

In this way, the EpiTrain also allows a quicker transition to physiotherapy, and therefore contributes to shortening the recovery phase. In combination with two integrated cushions (pads), the EpiTrain’s three-dimensional compression knit reduces localized swelling and activates the muscles without subjecting them to strain. The support adapts perfectly to the individual body shape without slipping or constricting, therefore enabling unrestricted blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.

EpiTrain®

Elbow support for pain relief

EpiTrain alleviates pain in the elbow and improves its mobility. The effective knitted fabric and specially contoured pads provide relief and make it possible to start mobility training at an early stage.

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