Synonyms in a broader sense
- Golf arm
- Epicondylitis humeri ulnaris
- Epicondylitis medialis humeri
- Golf elbow
- Tennis elbow
Definition
The so-called golfer’s elbow is medically called an epicondylitis humeri ulnaris (epicondylitis humeri medialis). Patients suffering from a golfer’s elbow have pain on the inside of the elbow, in the area of the bony protrusion where the tendons are attached. Therefore, a golfer’s elbow is an inflammation of the tendon attachment (= attachment tendinosis) of the muscles of the forearm flexor.
The cause of the chronic inflammation of the epicondylus medialis humeri is unclear, but it is assumed that overstrain at work or in sports (e.g. golf) has a mechanical triggering effect. This also explains the origin of the term “golf elbow”. Also other tendons can be affected by pain in the elbow. Quite often, patients complain of pain radiating into the forearm and/or upper arm, so that the entire arm may hurt. Usually, there is a local stabbing pressure pain at the bone attachment of the affected muscles, as well as inflammatory pain on the inside of the elbow (inflammation of the elbow) caused by fist closure and flexion, especially against resistance.
Symptoms
If the patient has a golfer’s arm, he feels a pressure pain on the inside of the elbow, where swelling may also occur. Pain is aggravated by the closing of the fist or bending of the hand and forearm, especially against resistance, so that the patient is increasingly restricted in everyday life. The pain often radiates into the upper arm as well as into the forearm and the hand, so that the patient describes a pain in the whole arm and there is a reduction in strength of the hand and finger muscles, so that the patient can no longer grip properly.
Pain
The complaints of the golfer’s elbow are triggered by pain-inducing substances, for example the so-called substance P or prostaglandin E2, which are released in the course of changes in the muscle attachments as a result of incorrect or excessive strain and stimulate nerves, which then transmit this signal to the brain as a pain stimulus. The typical symptoms of golfer’s elbow can be described as stabbing pain on the inside of the elbow, which often radiates to the flexor side of the forearm. The complaints often occur with increasing intensity when the muscles are strained, for example when a fist is formed or when grasping an object with the arm stretched.
The flexion of the wrist and fingers is also affected, especially when the movement is against resistance. Due to the load-dependent complaints, there is often a massive restriction in everyday life, as even simple tasks, such as writing or lifting objects, can become a problem due to pain. Many patients also report a pressure pain on the inside of the elbow.
This also extends along the flexor muscles of the forearm. Increasingly, it is not only active movement that causes pain, but also maximum passive stretching. If further incorrect strain is applied or therapy is not carried out, the pain can also occur at rest. Pain in the elbow can also be the symptom of periosteitis.
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