Articles: Physical Therapist's Corner

Golfer’s Elbow? But, I Don’t Golf!

By Mike Johnston, PT, CSCS

Golfer’s elbow or medial epicondylitis is inflammation and pain caused by micro trauma at the tenoperiosteal junction of the wrist flexor/ pronators. The micro trauma may be caused by repetitive forceful contractions of the pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis and sometimes the flexor carpi ulnaris. There is tenderness located at the medial epicondlye (the protruding bony area on the inside of the elbow) and there is pain with resisted wrist flexion/ pronation. There are a variety of activities that can lead to pain and include certain tennis strokes, throwing a baseball or javelin, certain phases of a golf swing or carrying heavy suitcases (i.e. farmer’s walks.)

Personally, fat bar curls or wide grip chins are murder. So, what is a scratch golfer to do? Well, I don’t know but for strength athletes avoiding activity that causes pain acutely and icing 2-x/ day for 14 days is a start. Anti-inflammatory medication during that time will be beneficial as well. Some gentle cross friction massage may be helpful, however if the pain gets worse stop the massage. Gradually return to grip strengthening paying particular attention to wrist curling and pronation/ supination. (I like the wrist rope early on for wrist flexion/ extension and a small sledge for pronation/ supination.) Once you begin farmer’s walk or heavy grip work again don’t forget to ice after training. This condition may become chronic, so you may find that some exercises just aren’t worth it. (I will never fat bar curl again; I will never fat bar curl again…)

Keep Lifting Heavy Stuff!

« Return to Articles