Golfer's Elbow and Tendonitis: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

When your forearm starts hurting during a swing, you might blame the grip, the club, or even the weather. Often the real culprit is golfer's elbow, a form of tendonitis that targets the inner side of the elbow. Understanding why tendon inflammation builds up, how it shows up, and what you can actually do about it makes the difference between weeks of pain and getting back on the course.

Quick Takeaways

• Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is tendonitis of the forearm flexor tendons.
• Typical symptoms include inner‑elbow pain, weakened grip, and stiffness after activity.
• Effective treatment starts with rest, ice, and targeted exercises; most people recover without surgery.
• Preventive measures such as grip adjustments, warm‑ups, and strength training cut recurrence by up to 70%.
• Seek medical advice if pain lasts more than 6weeks or if you notice loss of function.

Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a type of tendonitis that affects the tendons attaching the forearm flexor muscles to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. While the name comes from the sport, the condition shows up in anyone who repeats wrist‑flexing motions - from tennis players to carpenters.

What Exactly Is Tendonitis?

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, the thick cord that links muscle to bone. When a tendon is overloaded, tiny micro‑tears accumulate, triggering swelling and pain. In the case of golfer’s elbow, the forearm flexor tendons endure repeated tensile stress during the late swing phase, especially when the grip is too tight or the swing mechanics are off.

How Tendonitis Leads to Golfer’s Elbow

The chain of events looks like this:

1. Excessive wrist flexion or forearm pronation creates repeated strain on the flexor tendons.
2. Micro‑damage accumulates faster than the body can repair, causing inflammation.
3. Swollen tendons thicken and lose elasticity, pulling on the medial epicondyle bone.
4. The bone‑tendon interface becomes painful, especially during gripping or lifting.

Because the same tendons also help with everyday tasks (opening jars, shaking hands), the pain often spills over into daily life, not just the golf course.

Spotting the Symptoms

Typical signs include:

• A dull ache that intensifies when you grip a club, a racket, or even a coffee mug.
• Sharp pain during the last 30% of the swing, often described as a “stinging” sensation.
• Weakness in the hand; you may notice your grip slipping.
• Stiffness in the morning that eases after gentle movement.

If any of these symptoms linger beyond a few days, it’s worth a quick check‑up.

Diagnosing the Condition

Doctors usually start with a physical exam - feeling the medial epicondyle, asking you to perform resisted wrist flexion, and checking for tenderness. Imaging is rarely needed, but an ultrasound or MRI can confirm tendon thickness and rule out other issues such as ulnar nerve entrapment.

Conservative Treatment Options

Most cases resolve with non‑surgical care. The key steps are:

• Rest and activity modification: Cut back on high‑intensity swings for 1-2weeks. Substitute with low‑impact cardio.
• Ice therapy: Apply a cold pack for 15minutes, three times daily, to shrink swelling.
• Compression: A forearm sleeve provides gentle pressure and improves circulation.
• Physical therapy: Targeted exercises that stretch the flexor muscles and strengthen the extensor group help rebalance forces.
• Medications: Over‑the‑counter NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) reduce pain and inflammation when taken as directed.

When symptoms persist beyond six weeks, doctors may consider corticosteroid injections. These supply a powerful anti‑inflammatory burst, but they also carry a risk of tendon weakening if overused.

Advanced Therapies

For stubborn cases, newer modalities have shown promise:

• Platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) injections deliver growth factors directly to the damaged tendon, encouraging tissue repair.
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) stimulates micro‑circulation, speeding up healing.
• Surgical release of the tendon attachment is a last resort, reserved for athletes who have exhausted all conservative paths.

Quick Comparison: Golfer’s Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow

Preventive Strategies to Keep the Elbow Happy

Prevention is about reducing repetitive strain and improving biomechanics. Try these simple habits:

1. Warm‑up properly: Five minutes of light cardio followed by dynamic forearm stretches prepares the tendons.
2. Check your grip size: Clubs that are too thin force the hand to over‑grip. A club‑fitting specialist can recommend the right shaft diameter.
3. Focus on technique: Work with a coach to ensure the swing uses the hips and torso rather than over‑relying on the arms.
4. Strengthen balanced muscles: Alternate flexor and extensor exercises (e.g., wrist curls vs. reverse wrist curls) keep the tendon forces even.
5. Use supportive gear: A lightweight forearm strap can offload tension during long practice sessions.

Integrating these steps into weekly routines has been shown to cut re‑injury rates by roughly two‑thirds for amateur golfers.

When to See a Professional

Most tendinitis cases improve within six weeks of conservative care. However, seek a sports‑medicine physician or orthopedic specialist if you notice:

• Persistent pain beyond six weeks despite rest.
• Significant loss of grip strength that interferes with daily tasks.
• Numbness or tingling along the forearm, suggesting nerve involvement.
• Visible swelling or a palpable lump at the medial epicondyle.

Early intervention can prevent chronic changes that require surgery.

Next Steps & Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried rest and basic exercises but pain is still nagging, consider a short course of guided physical therapy. A therapist can assess your swing mechanics with video analysis and prescribe a custom exercise plan. Should the pain flare up after a return to play, dial back the intensity for a few days and repeat the stretch‑strength cycle before pushing harder again.