Golfer’s Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery Guide

Golfer’s Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery Guide

Golfer’s elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness around the inner side of the elbow. Despite its name, you do not have to play golf to develop it. It can occur in anyone who performs repeated gripping, wrist movements, lifting, or forearm activities.

The condition commonly develops when the muscles and tendons that help bend the wrist and fingers are repeatedly overloaded. With appropriate activity modification and physiotherapy, most people can gradually return to their normal activities.

What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow occurs when the tissues around the inner side of the elbow become irritated or overloaded. The muscles responsible for wrist and finger flexion attach near the medial epicondyle, a bony prominence on the inside of the elbow.

Repeated stress can lead to pain during activities such as gripping, lifting, carrying objects, using tools, or performing repetitive wrist movements.

Although it is commonly associated with golfers, similar symptoms can occur in people involved in:

• Weight training

• Racquet sports

• Throwing activities

• Manual work

• Computer or repetitive hand activities

• Gardening

• Repeated lifting or carrying

Common Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow

The most common symptom is pain on the inner side of the elbow.

You may also experience:

• Tenderness around the inner elbow

• Pain during gripping or lifting

• Pain when bending the wrist

• Forearm discomfort

• Reduced grip strength

• Stiffness around the elbow or forearm

• Pain during repetitive activities

• Difficulty performing activities that require strong gripping

Symptoms may initially occur only during activity but can become more persistent if the aggravating activity continues.

What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is usually associated with repetitive loading of the forearm muscles and tendons.

Common contributing factors include:

Repetitive Wrist Movements

Repeated bending of the wrist or forearm movements can place excessive stress on the tissues around the inner elbow.

Heavy Lifting

Sudden increases in lifting loads or performing exercises with excessive resistance can aggravate the area.

Repetitive Gripping

Activities requiring prolonged or forceful gripping can increase stress on the forearm muscles.

Poor Technique

Incorrect technique during sports, exercise, work, or lifting may increase the load placed on the elbow.

Sudden Increase in Activity

Increasing training intensity, duration, or frequency too quickly may contribute to overloading.

Golfer’s Elbow and Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can play an important role in managing golfer’s elbow and helping you safely return to your normal activities.

Your physiotherapist may assess:

• Pain intensity and location

• Elbow and wrist range of motion

• Grip strength

• Forearm muscle strength

• Functional limitations

• Work and sporting activities

• Movement and lifting technique

Treatment is then tailored according to your symptoms, activity level, and stage of recovery.

Physiotherapy may include:

1. Activity modification
Temporarily reducing activities that significantly aggravate symptoms while maintaining appropriate movement.

2. Gentle stretching
Appropriate stretching may help maintain flexibility of the wrist and forearm muscles.

3. Progressive strengthening
Gradual strengthening of the wrist, forearm, and grip muscles can help improve load tolerance.

4. Manual therapy
Hands-on techniques may be used when appropriate to address pain, stiffness, and movement restrictions.

5. Education
Your physiotherapist can help identify activities, techniques, and workload patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms.

6. Gradual return to activity
Exercises and functional activities should be progressed gradually according to your recovery.

Do’s for Golfer’s Elbow

✅ 1. Rest the arm regularly

Give your elbow and forearm appropriate recovery periods between repetitive activities.

✅ 2. Perform gentle stretches

Gentle, comfortable stretching may help maintain forearm flexibility.

✅ 3. Use appropriate pain-relief strategies

Cold or heat may provide temporary symptom relief depending on what feels more comfortable for you.

✅ 4. Strengthen the forearm gradually

Progressive strengthening should be introduced according to your symptoms and physiotherapist's advice.

✅ 5. Use elbow support if recommended

An appropriate brace or support may be useful for some individuals during aggravating activities.

✅ 6. Maintain good posture and technique

Proper positioning during work, exercise, and daily activities can help manage unnecessary strain.

✅ 7. Warm up before physical activity

A gradual warm-up can prepare your muscles and joints before exercise or sport.

✅ 8. Follow your physiotherapy program

Consistent adherence to your prescribed exercises and advice can support recovery.

✅ 9. Return to activity gradually

Increase your workload, exercise intensity, and sporting activities progressively rather than suddenly.

Don’ts for Golfer’s Elbow

❌ 1. Avoid repetitive wrist movements when painful

Repeatedly performing movements that aggravate your symptoms may delay recovery.

❌ 2. Avoid heavy lifting during painful periods

Reduce heavy or strenuous lifting until your symptoms are appropriately controlled.

❌ 3. Avoid painful gripping

Forceful gripping that significantly increases pain should be modified.

❌ 4. Avoid sudden movements

Sudden loading or jerky movements can aggravate an already irritated elbow.

❌ 5. Don't ignore persistent pain

Pain that continues or progressively worsens should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

❌ 6. Avoid sudden increases in exercise

Increase your exercise intensity and volume gradually.

❌ 7. Avoid excessively tight gripping

Try to use only the amount of grip force required for the task.

❌ 8. Avoid prolonged strain

Take regular breaks during repetitive work or activities involving your wrist and forearm.

When Should You See a Physiotherapist?

Consider professional assessment if:

• Elbow pain persists despite modifying your activities

• Pain is interfering with work, exercise, or daily activities

• Your grip strength has noticeably decreased

• You have difficulty lifting or carrying objects

• Symptoms are progressively worsening

• You are unable to return to your normal activities

A physiotherapist can assess your symptoms and develop an individualized rehabilitation plan.

How Long Does Golfer’s Elbow Take to Recover?

Recovery varies depending on the severity of the condition, how long symptoms have been present, the individual's activity level, and how well the contributing factors are managed.

Recovery is generally gradual. Returning to demanding work, sport, or exercise too quickly may cause symptoms to flare up.

The goal is not simply to reduce pain but to gradually restore strength, function, and the ability of the elbow and forearm to tolerate normal activity.

Final Takeaway

Golfer’s elbow is not limited to golfers. Repetitive wrist movements, gripping, lifting, and excessive loading can contribute to pain on the inner side of the elbow.

The good news is that appropriate activity modification, progressive strengthening, physiotherapy, and a gradual return to activity can help many people manage their symptoms and regain normal function.

Listen to your body, avoid repeatedly aggravating the painful area, and seek professional advice when symptoms persist.

Move Better. Live Pain-Free.

Physiogic Physiotherapy Clinic