Operation
The operation of the golfer’s elbow is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. In exceptional cases, the operation can also be performed under general anesthesia. The arm is first carefully disinfected.
This is followed by an approximately 4-6 cm long incision (incision) above the inner bony projection of the elbow. During the operation, the muscle fascia of a hand flexor (musculus pronator) is incised at the inner elbow (epicondylus medialis). Below this are the torn and inflammatory degenerated tendon fibers.
Torn and frayed tendon parts are removed and the muscle is reattached to its origin. Finally, the wound is sutured and an upper arm cast is applied. The follow-up treatment lasts about 6-8 weeks and is combined with rest and accompanying physiotherapy.
Summary
The symptoms of a golf elbow can have different causes. In the end, however, there is always a pattern to be recognized: An overloading of the flexor muscles by certain kinds of sport such as golf, weight training or an overstrain by the vocational activity (PC work, assembly line activities, handicraft) leads to a tendon attachment inflammation. If the disease is treated therapeutically in time, treated and the triggering factors removed, the golfer’s elbow usually has no consequences and can be avoided in the future.
However, if the disease becomes chronic and no therapy is given, further structures are likely to be affected. Osteophyte formation (bone growth) can occur and the elbow joint itself can be damaged in its function by one-sided stress. In this case arthrotic changes and thus degenerative changes of the articular cartilage are possible.
Affected persons should therefore seek professional help as early as possible to avoid secondary diseases. If they are employed in a profession known for triggering a golfer’s elbow, they should do compensatory exercises to strengthen the extensor muscles of the forearm in order to prophylactically counteract a muscle imbalance.
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