Heard the term “tennis elbow”? Did you know that there is a similar condition called “golfers elbow”?

 

It is so similar in fact that it is the same pathology as tennis elbow, however the pain sits on the inside/underside of your elbow opposed to the outside/top.

 

Why is it called golfers elbow? As we swing down to strike the ball, our wrist flexor muscles help to create club-head speed by adding extra whip before impact. These flexor muscles (which attach to the underside of our elbow) are working extremely hard to brace for impact as the club hits the ball (or turf!). This causes them to forcibly lengthen- an eccentric contraction.

The problem comes when this process occurs over and over again. This is especially pertinent for the weekend warriors out there that may use more shots in a round than say, Tiger Woods. Overloading the tendons of the flexor muscles where they attach to the bone is called a tendinopathy. But it doesn’t matter what it’s called, what you will notice is sharp pain, swelling, tingling, burning, weakness and/or aching.

 

It is imperative that a treatment and rehabilitation program be implemented as soon as possible after symptoms become present, because if left untreated this condition, like tennis elbow, can become painfully chronic and frustrating to manage.

 

Treatment consists of load management, soft tissue therapy, dry needling and/or bracing. The use of a counterforce brace can be incredibly helpful to help de-load these irritated tendons. It is imperative that these treatment modalities are coupled with an appropriate tendon loading/conditioning program as tendinopathies will not improve without strength and tendon loading exercises!

 

If elbow pain is throwing you off your game, we can help! 8544 8484