Golfer’s Elbow Treatment

Golfer’s elbow is an inflammation that occurs in the wrist flexor muscles, occurring specifically at the point in the arm where they insert onto the inside part of the elbow. It is a degenerative condition and is not generally caused by a specific incident. Instead, it is the gradual build-up of degeneration, which is why it is so often a condition where a diagnosis is delayed. The most common first indication that you have golfer’s elbow is that you will have difficulty gripping objects without elbow pain.

As well as pain issues when gripping objects, golfer’s elbow has a variety of additional symptoms that can help you identify when you need to need to get medical treatment. The issue with grip is often the first sign that you have developed golfer’s elbow, but you may also notice the following symptoms:

• A tenderness or painful sensation on the inside of your elbow
• A weakness of wrist flexion or wrist extension that is not normal for you
• An uncomfortable feeling in your wrist even when you are relaxing

Since golfer’s elbow is a degenerative condition that worsens over time, it can be all too easily ignored until the pain starts to affect your life. If you have started to notice a change in the way that you can use your arm or your wrist, then seeking medical advice is essential.

Overuse of the wrist is the primary cause of golfer’s elbow. That overuse leads to painful tendons and gradual inflammation. If it is not treated, golfer’s elbow can lead to even more degeneration, resulting in more pain and less flexibility of the wrist. If you partake in either a sport or other physical activity that involves the repeated flexing of your wrist, then that stress is the leading cause of golfer’s elbow.

Despite the name, it is not just golfers who are prone to medial epicondylitis. Tennis players are also susceptible, as are baseball pitchers and those that take part in a throwing sports – javelin, discus, shot put, or hammer. However, it is not only sports players who can develop golfer’s elbow. Repetitive strain at work can also cause degeneration of the wrist muscles too. Manual labor, or even typing regularly, will be using both extra grip and overuse of the wrists.

Failing to get a diagnosis and treatment of golfer’s elbow can lead to a chronic condition that is more challenging to treat and will take longer to recover from.

At Icon Medical Centers in Miami, our team of medical experts have treated a variety of patients suffering from golfer’s elbow. We know that there is no single best treatment for the condition. Instead, it will often require a combination of treatment types depending on the damage that has been caused, how long the condition has been left untreated, and the individual needs of each patient. Our home care specialists will ensure that you know how to limit further degradation, with the priority of rest and support for the injured arm.

Our team will evaluate your golfer’s elbow and will usually prescribe a combination of golfer’s elbow exercises, golfer’s elbow stretches, medication, and a sports massage program. While sports massage will not usually be an initial option if the golfer’s elbow has been left without treatment for too long, it can help to encourage healing in those cases that have been caught early or have responded well to physical therapy.

Your program of physical therapy will be tailored specifically to you and your injury, and our experienced teams at Icon Medical Centers in Miami will both challenge your limits and respect them too. We will work together to ensure that you have access to the treatments that will improve your strength and your mobility until you are back to pre-injury health levels.

Our state of the art technology and many years of experience treating Miami residents suffering from golfer’s elbow means that we know the best treatment options for you, and can get you on the road to recovery and back to your normal quality of life much faster than you would have believed.