Medial epicondylitis (EH-puh-kaan-duh-LI-tuhs), or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged. It is a common and painful condition that occurs not only in golfers, but also in anyone who performs repeated, resisted motions of the wrist. Signs and Symptoms

pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow pain or weakness with gripping

pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver) sometimes swelling

Increased Risk

sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball) poor warm-up before practice or play

poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.

Excercises

Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Injections

For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Wear an elbow brace.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) (PDF) HH-I-547 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Medial epicondylitis (EH-puh-kaan-duh-LI-tuhs), or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged. It is a common and painful condition that occurs not only in golfers, but also in anyone who performs repeated, resisted motions of the wrist. Signs and Symptoms

pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow pain or weakness with gripping

pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver) sometimes swelling

Increased Risk

sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball) poor warm-up before practice or play

poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.

Excercises

Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Injections

For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Wear an elbow brace.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) (PDF) HH-I-547 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Medial epicondylitis (EH-puh-kaan-duh-LI-tuhs), or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged. It is a common and painful condition that occurs not only in golfers, but also in anyone who performs repeated, resisted motions of the wrist. Signs and Symptoms

pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow pain or weakness with gripping

pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver) sometimes swelling

Increased Risk

sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball) poor warm-up before practice or play

poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Orthopedic aids

A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.

Excercises

Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Injections

For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.

Surgery

In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Wear an elbow brace.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) (PDF) HH-I-547 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Medial epicondylitis (EH-puh-kaan-duh-LI-tuhs), or golfer’s elbow, is an injury to the inner side of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. The muscles and tendons of the forearm that bring your wrist down (extend the wrist) get damaged. It is a common and painful condition that occurs not only in golfers, but also in anyone who performs repeated, resisted motions of the wrist.

Signs and Symptoms

pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow pain or weakness with gripping

pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver) sometimes swelling

Increased Risk

sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball) poor warm-up before practice or play

poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.
  • Excercises
  • Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.
  • Injections
  • For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.
  • Surgery
  • In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Wear an elbow brace.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow pain or weakness with gripping

pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver) sometimes swelling

  • pain or tenderness on the inner side of the elbow

  • pain or weakness with gripping

  • pain with twisting motions of the wrist (golf, bowling, or using a screwdriver)

  • sometimes swelling

sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball) poor warm-up before practice or play

poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

  • sports that require recurring and hard forearm and wrist movements (golfing, baseball, tennis, racquetball)

  • poor warm-up before practice or play

  • poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility)

  • going back to an activity before proper healing, recovery and training are done

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • A counterforce brace (tennis elbow strap) may reduce pressure on the tendon.

  • Exercises to improve flexibility and strength of the elbow and surrounding muscles will be important. These can be done at home but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

  • For cases that do not improve with exercise, an injection to the area may help increase healing.

  • In rare cases, surgery may be needed to correct the problem.

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition. Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Wear an elbow brace.

  • Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.

  • Make sure equipment fits well and a coach corrects improper techniques.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, wrist and forearm flexibility, muscle strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Wear an elbow brace.

  • symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) (PDF)

HH-I-547 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online