Your elbow feels stiff? It hurts making a fist? It might be Golfers Elbow

BY DR. VIKAS PURI

Do you feel pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow? Does this pain extend along the inner side of your forearm or wrist? Does the pain typically worsen with certain movements e.g. repetitive wrist movements? What you might have is a condition called Medial Epicondylitis, better known as pitchers/golfers elbow. The pain of golfer’s elbow can come on suddenly or gradually.

Golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. When you use these muscles over and over again, small tears develop in the tendons. Over time, this leads to irritation, which results in inflammation and pain where the tendon is attached to the bone.

Despite the name, this condition doesn’t just affect golfers. Any repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm motions can lead to golfer’s elbow. The injury can occur from using poor form or overdoing certain activities, such as: golf, baseball and other throwing sports, such as: football, javelin, racquet sports, tennis and even weight training: repeated twisting of the wrist (such as when using a screwdriver) can also lead to golfer’s elbow.

People in certain jobs, including: painting, plumbing, construction, cooking, butchers, assembly-line workers, and computer users may be more likely to develop it.

Of course, the condition has its own set of symptoms. It might worsen with certain movements, such as swinging a golf club. Your elbow may feel stiff and making a fist might hurt. You may have weakness in your hands and wrists.

Numbness or tingling might radiate into one or more fingers – usually the ring and little fingers.

Prevention is better then cures right? You can prevent the condition by strengthening your forearm muscles. Use lightweights or squeeze a tennis ball. Even simple exercises can help your muscles absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.

Stretch before and after your activity/game. Walk or jog for a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Then do gentle stretches before you begin your game. Stretches at the end of the game/activity are also very important as it helps with decreasing soreness after strain/full activity. Please talk to your physiotherapist to give you these stretches.

Fix your form. Whatever your sport, ask an instructor or your physiotherapist to check your form to avoid overload on muscles.

Use the right equipment. If you’re using older golfing irons, consider upgrading to lighter graphite clubs. If you play tennis, make sure your racket fits you. A racket with a small grip or a heavy head may increase the risk of elbow problems.

Lift properly. When lifting anything including free weights keep your wrist rigid and stable to reduce the force to your elbow.

Know when to rest. Try not to overuse your elbow. At the first sign of elbow pain, take a break. If you feel minor ache on the inner part of the elbow or forearm or weakening of the grip, if the soreness lasts more than 72 hours then please talk to your health professional before returning to the activity. Stay hydrated. Always make sure that you are hydrated during the game.

Once you are diagnosed, resting or pacing the activity, which increases the symptom.

Apply ice packs to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day for several days. To protect your skin, wrap the ice packs in a thin towel. It might help to massage your inner elbow with ice for five minutes at a time, two to three times a day. A counterforce brace on your affected arm might reduce tendon and muscle strain.

Keeping proper posture during the activity/game can decrease the chances of injury significantly please talk to your physiotherapist regarding postural. Your physiotherapist can use modalities like ultrasound, laser, IFC etc. for pain relief and to help with inflammation.