Avid golfers, tennis players, and those just returning to play can experience the painful effects of golfer’s elbow in the inside of the elbow and forearm. To get relief from the discomfort, see the specialists at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey and serving all of Union county, Morris county, Middlesex county, and Somerset county including the surrounding towns of Cranford, Garwood, Clark, Scotch Plains, Mountainside, Springfield, Summit, Chatham, Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood, Watchung, Berkeley Heights, Livingston, Union, Edison, Woodbridge, and Elizabeth. With nonsurgical and minimally invasive solutions to golfer’s elbow, the team can help you recover and get back on the course or court sooner. Call or schedule a visit online today to get started.
For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.
What is golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the muscles and tendons on the inside of the elbow. The pain is usually centered on your medial epicondyle — the boniest area of your inner elbow — where muscles from your forearm and wrist attach. Pain may also be felt throughout the forearm and wrist.
What are the signs of golfer’s elbow?
Signs of golfer’s elbow include:
- Pain, tenderness, and mild swelling at the bony protrusion on the inside of your elbow
- Pain, tenderness, and muscle knots or adhesions on your inner forearm
- Decreased range of motion at your wrist and elbow
- Worsening pain when bending your elbow or wrist
- Pain at the inner elbow when making a fist or squeezing a ball
Golfer’s elbow tends to develop gradually and may flare up when the muscles in the areas are overused, such as during your golf swing, when carrying luggage, or throwing a ball.
What causes golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is generally caused by repetitive elbow and wrist bending, overuse of the involved muscles, and trauma. Other possible causes include:
- Gripping exercises
- Gripping a golf club or tennis racket and swinging it backward and forward forcefully
- Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
- Frequent use of hand tools on a continuous basis
When the involved muscles frequently pull on or rub over your medial epicondyle, it causes inflammation and pain. The activities listed tend to increase this pain, especially if you recently returned to sports like golf or tennis or have started playing more frequently than you used to. In these cases, your body hasn’t adapted to the physical stress on your medial epicondyle, so pain can flare up.
What types of treatment are available for golfer’s elbow?
At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, a variety of minimally invasive therapies are available to treat golfer’s elbow, such as:
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Lipogems: Adipose/Fat therapy
- Tenjet Tenotomy
These therapies aim to reduce the inflammation and pain you’re feeling while supporting the natural healing abilities of your immune system. Compared to steroid injections, these therapies address the underlying cause of your pain, rather than only addressing the associated inflammation. These therapies are also less invasive than surgery, so you can get back to your golf game, hobbies, or work sooner.
Schedule a visit for golfer’s elbow treatment today by calling or booking a visit online at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine.
