Golf elbow

In contrast to tennis elbow, the golfer’s elbow (Epicondylitis ulnaris humeri) causes problems on the inside of the elbow. It is much less common than the tennis elbow. The tendon attachments of the flexor muscles of the wrist and fingers, which are located there on a bony attachment of the humerus, are highly irritated and this causes pain, which can also radiate into the flexor side of the forearm.

Particularly painful are bending movements such as the closing of the fist. Tendon irritation can lead to long-term changes, so that degenerative wear (arthrotic changes) can occur if the symptoms persist for a long time. The golfer’s arm is caused by overloading or incorrect loading (e.g. incorrectly learned techniques) in sports where the flexor muscles of the wrist and hand are strained.

As the name suggests, this is often the case when playing golf. However, a golfer’s elbow can also develop during everyday or professional overuse of the aforementioned muscle groups. In order to prevent a chronification of the pain, the strain on the attaching tendon and thus the muscle itself must be relieved.

Initially, immobilization over a short period of time (approx. 1-2 weeks) with the help of a splint is aimed for. Caution is required here, because an excessively long immobilization of the elbow can lead to stiffening of the joint.

Also beneficial for the painful arm are cold or heat therapies, as well as bandages with analgesic and anti-inflammatory ointments.Important in the conservative treatment of the golfer’s arm is also physiotherapy. The physiotherapist will show how affected tendons and their attachments should be slightly stretched, so that this can be done several times a day. Shock wave therapy uses ultrasound waves to loosen the muscles, thus reducing the painful pull on the inflamed tendon attachments.

Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are usually used to support this process. If the symptoms are severe, the doctor can inject cortisone into the painful muscle area. Cortisone has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus reduces the pain.

However, it should not be administered over a longer period of time as cortisone can damage muscles and tendons. Surgical treatment is only recommended if the conservative therapy shows no improvement or even a worsening of the symptoms even after months. During the operation, the irritated tendon attachments are separated from the humerus, and by reducing the pressure on the muscle, the pain is often eliminated.