Medial Epicondylitis Golfer’s Elbow

What Can Be Mistaken For Tennis Elbow Or Golfers Elbow

A few other conditions share similar symptoms with tennis and golfers elbow. Pain in the elbow joint or forearm can be a sign of several conditions, so its important to seek a professional diagnosis. You may believe you have tennis or golfers elbow when you actually have one of the following conditions:

• Radial tunnel syndrome: This is a dull, aching pain at the top of the forearm due to excess pressure on the nerve.
• Osteochondritis dissecans: This joint disorder tends to form in young athletes and involves cracks in the cartilage. Its most common among adolescent gymnasts.
• Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form of arthritis. It involves cartilage wearing thin and can result in severe pain in the joints.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An inflammatory disorder, rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints and other tissues of the body.

If you suspect you have either tennis or golfers elbow, consult with your healthcare professional to confirm. You may actually have one of these other conditions, which require different treatments and can be more serious.

Key Points About Medial Epicondylitis

• Medial epicondylitis causes pain from the elbow to the wrist on the inside of the elbow.

• It is more common in people who play golf or pitch baseball.

• Treatment includes stopping the activity that caused the pain.

• Using the correct form when doing repetitive activities can help prevent the condition.

What Are Common Causes Of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow results from overuse or traumatic injury. You do not need to be a tennis player to wind up with tennis elbow, though. In fact, you dont need to be an athlete at all. Any repetitive gripping or grasping activities can cause this problem. Some examples include:

• Using a knife to cut meat
• Using hand-held tools like a screwdriver or hammer
• Painting or drawing
• Weaving, knitting or crocheting

Any activity involving gripping and repetitive movement can cause this condition. In addition, a direct blow or traumatic injury can have the same effect. For instance, if you brace a hard fall by bending back your wrist and extending your fingers, you might sustain a tennis elbow injury.

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Schedule An Appointment At The Hand Center Of Louisiana

Tennis or golfers elbow can prevent you from doing your job or playing the sport you love. Both are painful and uncomfortable conditions, which limit your range of motion and decrease your strength. If ignored, these conditions can worsen and become chronic. For that reason, its important to take action as soon as symptoms are noticeable. If you think you have either condition, reach out to an expert the professionals at the Hand Center of Louisiana specialize in hand and upper extremity conditions.

Well diagnose your condition and prescribe appropriate treatments, addressing your concerns along the way. We offer a convenient one-stop shop for consultation, diagnosis, pre-surgery counseling, surgery and post-op physical therapy. If youre experiencing tennis or golfers elbow symptoms, schedule an appointment with the Hand Center of Louisiana today.

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Pearls And Other Issues

• Medial epicondylitis is a common cause of medial elbow pain.
• It is associated with either sports or occupation .
• Patients tend to have pain on the medial elbow worse with wrist flexion or pronation.
• Management is generally conservative and includes some combination of non-opiate analgesia, physical therapy, bracing, and injections.
• Refractory cases requiring surgical release are rare.

Tennis Elbow Vs Golfers Elbow: Lateral Epicondylitis Vs Medial Epicondylitis

Its simple enough to decode these technical terms. Lateral is a medical word for outer, while medial is a medical word for inner. Epicondylitis is inflammation surrounding an epicondyle a rough protuberance above the condyle of a long-bone. In laymens terms, tennis elbow is inflammation on the end of the outer elbow, and golfers elbow is inflammation on the end of the inner elbow.

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis affects the outer or lateral side of your elbow. These are the muscles you use to bend your wrist backward and straighten your fingers. Golfers elbow or medial epicondylitis affects the inner or medial side of your elbow. These muscles flex your wrist and close your fingers into a fist. Repetitive strain and overuse cause both of these injuries.

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What Are Some Common Golfers Elbow Treatments

Treatments for golfers elbow are similar to those for tennis elbow, with slight variations. Your health care professional will likely suggest physical therapy and wrist strengthening exercises, along with adequate rest. Simple stretches, extensions and flexions can help repair the damage. Exercises may include:

• Isometric wrist strengthening: Both flexion and extension exercises can be helpful. These involve lowering and raising your wrist with your palm facing either up or down, using your other hand for resistance.
• Resisted wrist extension: With your palm facing down, hanging over the edge of a flat surface, you can hold a lightweight dumbbell as you lower and raise your hand.
• Resisted wrist flexion: For this exercise, hold your dumbbell with your palm facing upward.
• Golfers elbow stretch: The golfers elbow stretch involves holding your arm out straight with your palm up. Then, pull your fingers and wrist down toward your body.

While these exercises can help strengthen the tendons and relieve pain, you may also require additional treatment. Your health care provider might recommend any of the following treatments:

How Is Golfers Elbow Diagnosed

A history and review of symptoms is completed prior to assessment. In most cases a definitive diagnosis is obtained through physical examination of the extremity. The physician may order x-rays to rule out fractures. Occasionally an MRI or ultrasound may be used to visualize the tendons and confirm diagnosis.

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Fascial Elevation And Tendon Origin Resection

Fascial elevation and tendon origin resection facilitates the complete visualization and resection of the CFPO with limited soft tissue dissection. FETOR decreases the average pain, pain at rest, and pain during hard work or heavy lifting. There is also an improvement of the mean pain-free grip strength.

What Is Golfer’s Elbow

You don’t have to swing a golf club to develop golfer’s elbow. You can get golfer’s elbow, known as medial epicondylitis, from swinging a tennis racquet, hefting a loaded food tray, hammering nails, or pounding away on your computer keyboard.

Golfer’s elbow is a form of tendonitis that causes pain and inflammation in the tendons connecting your forearm and elbow. When you repeatedly use your wrist and arm to bend, grasp or twist things, your tendons develop tiny tears that can cause wrist, elbow and forearm pain.

Left untreated, golfer’s elbow could cause permanent damage like limiting your elbow’s range of motion, causing chronic pain and weakening your grip.

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Deterrence And Patient Education

No evidence-based guidelines exist for the prevention of medial epicondylitis. Prevention of tendinitis and tendinopathy is guided around avoidance of excessive repetition of the offending activity or activities. In individuals who have previously had medial epicondylitis and improved, continuing maintenance physical therapy may help prevent recurrence.

How Can Dr Knight Help You With Golfers Elbow

As a lifelong athlete, Dr. Knight knows how hard it can be to sit on the sidelines waiting to heal while others play sports that you love. While it is important not to rush the process of healing, Dr. Knight understands that it is in your best interest to get you back out on the field, or links, or court, as soon as medically advisable, so you can get back to living your active life.

Come visit Dr. Knight, one of the most accomplished, and commonly referenced, hand specialists in Dallas, Texas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our Southlake office or Dallas hand and wrist center.

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What Can I Do To Prevent Medial Epicondylitis

Being aware of your daily movements can help prevent this condition. Some suggestions include:

• Using correct form when doing repetitive activities such as work or sports movements

• Keeping shoulders, forearms, and wrist muscles strong

• Gently stretching forearm muscles before and after repetitive tasks

• Using correct body mechanics when lifting or moving objects

How Can I Prevent Golfer’s Elbow

If you developed golfer’s elbow by playing sports, you can prevent new injury by paying special attention to your wrist and forearm during your warmups. You can also try adjusting your sports equipment and technique

For example, if you’re a tennis player, try using a larger grip on your racquet or loosening your racquet strings. If you take tennis lessons, talk to your coach about improving your serve and forehand so you put less stress on your forearm.

If you developed golfer’s elbow on the job, wearing a brace might help by giving your wrist additional support so your tendons can heal. You might also try building in breaks when you can do gentle stretches or simply rest your arm.

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Medial Epicondylitis Of The Elbow

Golfers elbow, also called Medial Epicondylitis, is a painful condition occurring from repeated muscle contractions in the forearm that leads to inflammation and microtears in the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle. The medial epicondyle is the bony prominence that is felt on the inside of the elbow.

Golfers elbow and Tennis Elbow are similar except that Golfers elbow occurs on the inside of the elbow and Tennis Elbow occurs on the outside of the elbow. Both conditions are a type of Tendonitis which literally means inflammation of the tendons.

What Are The Causes Of Medial Epicondylitis

Medial epicondylitis is caused by repetitive motions, which is why this condition occurs among athletes. Golfers may develop this type of tendinitis from repeatedly swinging a golf club, whereas tennis players can develop it from repeatedly using their arms to swing a tennis racket. In both cases, overuse of the arms and wrist damages tendons and triggers pain, stiffness, and weakness.

Other risk factors for this type of tendinitis include playing baseball or softball, rowing, and weightlifting. Activities like playing an instrument and typing on the computer can also lead to medial epicondylitis

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What Causes Golfers Elbow

Overuse of the forearm muscles from repetitive actions may result in Golfers Elbow. When the forearm muscles contract they place tension on the tendons at the medial epicondyle. Excessive tension from high force or continual repetition can result in damage to these tendons.

Golfer elbow may be caused by various activities including chopping wood, using hand tools, and sports like tennis and baseball. However, Medial Epicondylitis is often referred to as Golfers Elbow since it is commonly caused by the repetitive motion of a golf swing.

How Do I Take Care Of Myself

Start by giving your aching arm some R& R. Here are other steps you can take once you’re back in the swing of things whether that’s sports or work:

• Talk to your healthcare provider about stretches for your wrist and arm that you can do before you participate in activities that strain your wrist and arm.
• Wear a brace while you work or play sports.
• Ice your arm after work or playing sports.

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What Is The Treatment

Most cases of medial epicondylitis respond to non-operative treatment including rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. A wrist sprint or elbow strap may also help. If the pain persists, steroid injections or PRP therapy may provide relief. If these measures fail to alleviate your symptoms, surgery may be necessary. This involves releasing a portion of the tendon from the bone, removing the inflamed tendon or repairing tendon tears. Many procedures are performed arthroscopically with numerous benefits to the patient including tiny incisions, less pain and blood loss, and a quicker return to work and activities.

What Is The Treatment For Golfers Elbow

Many sports injuries, such as golfers elbow, are treated conservatively with rest, ice, compression and elevation . This combination of treatments often reduces or eliminates the symptoms and pain from epicondylitis by limiting activity until the injury heals. Some patients benefit from physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and tendons required for each patients unique activity or sport.

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Common Causes Of Lateral Or Medial Epicondylitis Pain:

• Sports such as tennis, raquetball, golf, baseball, football, basketball, rowing, weightlifting, boxing, volleyball, & yoga
• Work related pain often associated with painters, carpenters, plumbers, bricklayers, hairstylists, photographers, cooks, office workers, & lumberjacks
• Hobbies like knitting, crocheting, leatherworking, sewing, woodworking, metalworking, painting, & model building

What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider

Here are some questions you might ask:

• I don’t play golf. How did I develop golfer’s elbow?
• What is the treatment for golfers elbow?
• What can I do about the pain?
• Will I need surgery?
• How long do I need to rest my arm?
• Are there exercises I can do?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Golfer’s elbow can be more than a nuisance that keeps you off the greens, away from the courts or off the job. Left untreated, golfer’s elbow could cause permanent damage like limiting your elbow’s range of motion, causing chronic pain and weakening your grip. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have persistent elbow pain. They’ll treat the pain and recommend ways you can take care of your elbow without giving up your favorite activities.

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What Can I Expect If I Have This Condition

Fortunately, most people recover from golfer’s elbow without surgery and after resting their arm for about six weeks. Its also good news there are simple steps you can take every day that can help your tendons heal. But left untreated, golfer’s elbow could cause permanent damage like limiting your elbow’s range of motion, causing chronic pain and weakening your grip.

What Is Golfers Elbow

Golfers Elbow is a painful form of elbow tendonitis. The forearm muscles responsible for grip, wrist flexion and arm rotation are anchored via tendons to the bony prominence at the inner aspect of the elbow called the medial epicondyle. Tendons are strong, flexible connective tissues that attach muscle to bone allowing movement to occur. Microtears and inflammation to these tendons results in Golfers Elbow.

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What Are Some Common Tennis Elbow Treatments

Rest and physical therapy exercises are common tennis or golf elbow treatments. Consult with a professional before using any form of treatment. Here are some helpful physical therapy exercises:

• Wrist extension: Rest your palm face down on a flat surface. Extend your wrist, lifting it off the surface. Hold an object to improve your strength.
• Wrist flexion: This exercise is the same as a wrist extension, but with the palm facing upward.
• Grip strengthening: To strengthen your grip, squeeze a stress ball for a few seconds at a time.

Consistent strengthening exercises and rest can help reduce the effects of tennis elbow. In addition to physical therapy, you may need:

Tennis Elbow Vs Golfers Elbow

What is tennis elbow and golfers elbow? These similar conditions are common among athletes and those who work with their hands. Overuse or trauma are the usual causes. Improper form or inadequate warmup can increase your risk. If you feel pain while using your forearm muscles, especially while clenching or extending your fingers, one of these conditions might be to blame.

With proper treatment, you can ease the symptoms of these conditions and resume your regular activities. On the other hand, ignoring or pushing through your symptoms may worsen the long-term effects. Its possible to lose your full range of motion over time, and the pain can become chronic or increase in severity. Thats why seeking treatment is so important. Treatment is often non-invasive, involving basic exercises and over-the-counter medications. In extreme cases, however, surgery may be necessary.

Is tennis elbow the same as golfers elbow, though? While they do have some similarities, they also have some important differences. Knowing which condition you suffer from can help you get the right treatment to alleviate it. Heres a look at how to identify and how to treat tennis elbow and golfers elbow.

• What Can Be Mistaken for Tennis Elbow or Golfers Elbow?

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What Are Golfers Elbow Long

What happens if golfers elbow goes untreated? Over time, the condition can worsen. Patients may experience a weakened grip, chronic pain or a limited range of motion in the elbow. Its important to see a doctor for golfers elbow if the pain is persistent or severe. Allow yourself to rest take a break from your activity until you can meet with a health care professional.