Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow symptoms typically develop gradually and may include:

• Pain and tenderness on the inside of your elbow that may extend down your forearm
• Stiffness in the elbow, especially in the morning
• Weakness in your hands and wrists when gripping objects
• Numbness or tingling that may radiate into your ring and little fingers
• Difficulty with activities like lifting, carrying, or gripping objects
• Pain that worsens with wrist flexion or when making a fist

Golfer’s elbow is caused by overuse and repetitive stress to the tendons and muscles of the forearm. While golf can contribute to this condition, many other activities and factors can lead to its development:

Common causes include: Repetitive throwing motions, rock climbing, weight training, racket sports, carpentry, plumbing, and repetitive computer use. Risk factors include being over age 40, participating in repetitive arm activities for more than two hours daily, poor technique in sports or work activities, smoking, and obesity.

At Synergy Health Partners, our specialists will thoroughly evaluate your activities and medical history to identify the specific factors contributing to your condition.

Our orthopedic specialists use a comprehensive approach to diagnose golfer’s elbow. During your appointment, we’ll conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your elbow’s range of motion, strength, and areas of tenderness.

Diagnostic tests may include: X-rays to rule out arthritis or bone spurs, MRI imaging to evaluate soft tissue damage, and nerve conduction studies if numbness or tingling is present. Our team may also perform specific tests like the golfer’s elbow test, where applying pressure to the medial epicondyle while you flex your wrist reproduces your symptoms.

This comprehensive evaluation allows us to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle needs.

While mild elbow pain may improve with rest, you should schedule an appointment with our specialists if you experience:

• Persistent pain that doesn’t improve after several days of rest and home care
• Severe pain that interferes with daily activities or sleep
• Numbness or tingling in your ring and little fingers
• Weakness in your hand or wrist that affects your grip strength
• Signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or swelling around the elbow

Early treatment can prevent the condition from becoming chronic and help you return to normal activities more quickly. Our team is here to provide the expert care you need for optimal recovery.