Golfer’s elbow is a form of tendinosis (chronic degeneration of the tendon). It is an overuse injury that causes pain and tenderness on and around the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle (small bony part on the inside of your elbow).

These muscles and tendons (brachialis, brachioradialis, pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis) are located in your forearm and help to flex and pronate your wrist and fingers.

Medial epicondylitis is often misdiagnosed as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) simply because the Lateral condition is much more frequent.

Medial epicondylitis is most common in the 20-49 age group, but the condition is certainly not limited to this group. Moreover, anyone who is prone to repetitive stress injuries is at risk.

Cumulative stress, as with the majority of tendon issues, results in debilitating damage to the tendon and in Medial Epicondyle cases continual stress on the wrist extensors will prove detrimental to the healing of this area.

Alternate names and/or Related Conditions:

  • Medial epicondylitis
  • Forehand elbow
  • Pitcher’s elbow
  • Bowler’s elbow

How to Treat Your Elbow Tendon Injury

It is important to treat tendon injuries as soon as possible, as any activity or strain you put on your tendon can re-injure it further.

The trick with any tendon injury is getting it toheal with minimal scar tissue formation. Even with optimum healing, there is always less elasticity in a previously injured tendon. This will cause the tendon to hurt, during exercise and everyday activities. However, if you heal your injury efficiently and quickly, your chance of re-injury later on is much lower than average.

Allowing your elbow to rest is always recommended following injury. Avoid all activities that may have caused the injury or irritation and begin cold compression treatments as soon as possible. Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy (BFST®) promotes blood flow to heal your tendon faster and more completely than any other methods available.

Although steroid injections may provide temporary relief from the pain of tendinitis or tendinosis, they should generally be avoided as they weaken the tendon. If you do opt for an injection, doctors usually recommend that you do not participate in strenuous activities for several weeks to reduce the risk of a rupture.