(08) 7008 7566
(08) 7118 5399
physio@upplus.com.au
177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton SA 5023Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's elbow is the counterpart to tennis elbow, affecting the tendons on the inside of the elbow — the muscles that flex the wrist and grip. It is less common than tennis elbow but behaves much the same way and responds to the same principles. As with tennis elbow, most people who get it have never played the sport it is named after.
What causes it
- Repetitive gripping and wrist flexion — trades, lifting, throwing
- A sudden increase in load, particularly pulling or carrying
- Golf or throwing technique that overloads the inner elbow
- Weakness through the shoulder and forearm
- Age-related tendon change from the forties onwards
What you might notice
- Pain on the bony point at the inside of the elbow
- Pain gripping, lifting or turning a doorknob
- Discomfort that can spread down into the forearm
- Tenderness to press on the inner elbow
- Occasional pins and needles into the ring and little fingers if the nerve is also involved
How we treat it
- Progressive tendon loading, built up over months
- Isometric work early for pain relief
- Soft tissue work and dry needling through the forearm
- Shoulder and grip strengthening to share the load
- Technique and tool review for the activity that caused it
- Checking the ulnar nerve, which runs right beside it and is often involved
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.
Inner elbow pain has a nerve running through it
The ulnar nerve passes right beside this tendon, and the two are frequently involved together. Sorting out which is which changes what we do about it.
Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.