How
It Happens
A
golfer’s elbow is a common term for the Medial Epicondylitis.
It is the inflammation of the wrist and finger tendons that
attach to the bone on the inside part of the elbow (the medial
epicondyle).
Muscle
and tendon overexertion causes pulling of tendon from bone. This
causes micro tearing of tendons, hemorrhage, inflammation,
scarring, degeneration and shortening of the tendons. |
Black=Bone
Red=Muscle
Green=Pain |
| Symptoms |
Pain:
There
is pain and tenderness on the medial (middle) aspect of
the elbow on the medial epicondyle. Usually, more severe
pain can be felt during activities and there may have
diffuse discomfort down the forearm and into the
fingers.
| Painful
activities include: |
- Grasping
or squeezing a handle, a golf club or a tennis racquet.
- Shaking hands.
- Carrying a briefcase.
|
- Writing.
- Lifting objects
- Steering a car
|
|
|
|
There
are three stages of pain:
|
Early
Stage: pain after play or work.
Middle
Stage: pain during play or work.
Last
Stage: pain at rest and or at night.
|
Inflammation:
Inflammation
will be present although it may not always be visible.
It is the result
of the irritation of the tendon and the
tear of some tendon fibers.
X-Rays:
Usually nothing shows on x-ray. There may be some
calcium deposit in advanced
stage only.
|
| What
Causes It? |
- Occupational
overuse
- Weak
grip strength.
- Poor
fitting equipment– grip size or weight of
club or
racquet
- Cervical
spine nerve pinching or adverse tension
- Elbow
hyperextension, "double jointed".
|
- Overuse
in a sporting or daily activity.
- Improper
technique
- Direct
trauma.
- Untreated
past injury of the upper extremity
or fracture.
|
|
1.
Rest
from painful activities.
2.
Icing
will
help decrease the inflammation and the pain.
3. Analyze
and correct your technique in sporting or occupational
activities.
4. Make
sure you stretch
properly
before and after each activity.
5. Compressive
bracing prevents
tendon pulling from bone and absorbs
vibration.
6. Have
an expert look at your equipment and change it if required |
|
| How
Do I Prevent It? |
1.
Avoid
overuse by gradually increasing in intensity and frequency
of
play/activity.
2. Avoid
technique and equipment errors.
3. Maintain
flexibility and strength of forearm muscles.
4. Maintain
mobility of potentially restrictive structures.
5. Many
cases should be able to return to activity without a brace, a
brace may be used on initial stages of returning to the
aggravating
activity. |
|
| Will
Physiotherapy Help Me? |
| A
physiotherapist will assess your condition and determine the origin of
your pain. Your treatment plan will address both the local symptoms
such as pain and inflammation as well as the cause of your pain (see
causes above).
If
you have developed this problem through a specific activity, your
physiotherapist can review your technique and make recommendations to
avoid injury.
You
will also be given an exercise program that will include proper
stretching and strengthening exercises, to maintain the flexibility
and strength of the wrist, elbow and shoulder muscles. With the help
of modalities,
physiotherapy will reduce your symptoms
and promote healing. |
|
