Condition guide
Golfer’s elbow is overuse pain of the tendons that attach to the bony point on the inner side of the elbow. Despite its name, it is mostly seen in people who do not play golf but do repetitive, forceful work with their hands. The basis of treatment is reducing the load, stretching and graded strengthening.
The tendons of the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach to the bony point on the inner side of the elbow. When these tendons are strained by repetitive, forceful use, pain appears where they attach. It is the “inner side” counterpart of tennis elbow.
Gardening, decorating, hand tools, keyboard use and sports that bend the wrist forcefully are the main causes. Sometimes it also starts after a fall onto the elbow or a sudden blow.
For the tendon to heal, the tasks that cause pain need to be changed or stopped for a while. Most people can keep working; what matters is arranging the workload so that it reduces the pain and cutting down on repetitive hand movements.
If it is the outer side of your elbow that hurts, see the tennis elbow guide instead of this one; the exercises are different.
Exercises at home
The first two are stretches; the next four are for movement and strengthening. Mild discomfort is normal during the strengthening exercises; if the pain is too much, reduce the weight and the repetitions. If you have pain after the exercises, you can apply ice.
Straighten your elbow and let your wrist drop. With your other hand, gently press on the back of your hand; feel the stretch along the top of your forearm. It is useful to do this before sport and work.
Hold for 15 seconds, 3–5 repetitions, 2–3 times a dayKeep your elbow straight with your palm facing up. With your other hand, pull your fingers and hand down and back; feel the stretch on the inner side of the elbow and in the forearm. There should be no pain.
Hold for 15–30 seconds, 3–5 repetitions, 2–3 times a dayHold your arm comfortably at your side. Bend your elbow fully, then straighten it fully. Increase the number of repetitions as pain allows.
10 repetitions; in time 3 sets of 15Rest your forearm on a table. Start with the back of your hand on the table, then turn it so that your palm faces down; hold for 5 seconds and turn back slowly. Once it is easy, hold a tin of food or a hammer.
10 repetitions; in time 3 setsRest your forearm on a table with your palm facing up. Holding a small weight, slowly bend your wrist up as far as it will go; then bring your hand back level with the table. Increase the weight as it gets easier.
10 repetitions; in time 3 setsRest your forearm on a table with your palm facing up and your hand over the edge. Hold a small weight (a tin of food or a bottle of water). Use your other hand to lift your wrist up, then let go and lower the weight slowly over 6 seconds. Mild discomfort is normal.
10 repetitions, 3 times a day; in time 3 setsVideo
From the YouTube channels of the CommonSpirit Houston hospital in the USA and physical therapist Dr Tom Walters (Rehab Science).
A video prepared by the hospital showing exercises that can be done at home.
Four exercises demonstrated by a physical therapist.
Both are overuse pain of the tendons that attach at the elbow; the difference is where. In golfer’s elbow the pain is on the inner side of the elbow, and the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers are affected. In tennis elbow the pain is on the outer side, and the muscles that lift the wrist are affected.
Golfer’s elbow is in fact more common in people who do not play sport. Any task that bends the wrist and fingers repeatedly and forcefully can cause it, such as gardening, decorating, using hand tools or long periods at a keyboard. Sometimes it also starts after a single blow to the elbow.
An elbow strap worn on the forearm (an epicondylar clasp) can give relief by reducing the pressure on the painful spot. It can be bought from pharmacies. It is not a treatment on its own; it is used together with reducing the load and exercise.
An injection is not the first choice. In a small number of people it may ease the pain in the short term, and it is considered when other methods have not worked. Surgery is rarely needed. The basis of treatment is reducing the load, stretching and graded strengthening.
See a doctor without delay if you have any of the following:
Sources
More from the health library
®