Medically called medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow is a type of tendonitis. It is a medical condition that causes the tendons that connect the elbow and forearm to become inflamed and painful. Sometimes the pain can also spread from the forearm to your wrist.
The main difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow is that golfer’s elbow is the inner elbow or medial epicondyle tendon condition. The pain is experienced on the inside and radiates gradually down your arm. The condition is not just limited to golfers; anyone who repeatedly clenches fingers or engages in wristwork can develop it.
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What Are the Causes?
Golfer’s elbow occurs when the tendons and muscles controlling the fingers and wrist get damaged. The damage is caused due to repeated stress that results from forceful finger or wrist motions. Gradually, small tears develop in the tendons that connect the elbow and forearm, causing inflammation and pain.
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Other causes that may lead to this condition are:
• Improper lifting
• Hitting or throwing too hard
• Too little or no warm-up before engaging in sports activities or exercise
Risk Factors
The risk of developing golfer’s elbow is high among people who indulge in the following:
Racket Sports
Poor techniques and strokes or playing with a heavy or small racket can injure the tendons.
Heavy Weight Training
Curling the wrist and lifting weights improperly can overload your elbow tendons and muscles, resulting in injury.
Labor Work
Occupations involving repetitive and forceful movements, like plumbing, construction, and carpentry, can be culprits for the golfer’s elbow.
Throwing Sports
Throwing sports like baseball, javelin throw, and softball can also cause injuries to the inner elbow.
Other risk factors include:
Age
Obesity
Smoking
Repetitive Actions
for 2+ Hours
