By far the most common cause of golfers elbow is overuse and the muscle imbalances not able to handle repetitive loads.
By Performance Spine and Sports Medicine
Don’t let the name fool you, the medical name is Medial Epicondylitis golfers elbow occurs when there is damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments on the inside part of the elbow joint and forearm. Small tears, called micro tears, form in the tendons and muscles which control the movement of the forearm. They cause a restriction of movement, inflammation and pain. These micro tears eventually lead to the formation of scar tissue and calcium deposits. If untreated, this scar tissue and calcium deposits can put so much pressure on the muscles and nerves that they can cut off the blood flow and compress the nerves responsible for controlling the muscles in the forearm.
Symptoms
Pain on the bony protrusion on the inside of the elbow.
Weakness in the wrist.
Pain on the inside of the elbow when you grip something hard.
Pain when wrist flexion (bending the wrist palm downwards) is resisted.
Pain on resisted wrist pronation – rotating inwards (thumb downwards).
May radiate down the arm
Why?
By far the most common cause of golfers elbow is overuse and the muscle imbalances not able to handle repetitive loads. Any action which places a repetitive and prolonged strain on the forearm muscles, coupled with inadequate rest, will tend to strain and overwork those muscles.
There are also many other causes, like a direct injury, such as a bump or fall onto the elbow. Poor technique or biomechanics (which is using science and physics to understand human motions) will contribute to the condition, such as using ill-fitted equipment, like golf clubs, tennis racquets, work tools, etc. While poor levels of general fitness and conditioning will also contribute.
How?
Treating Golfers Elbow
Golfers elbow is a soft tissue injury of the muscles and tendons around the elbow joint, and therefore should be treated like any other soft tissue injury. Immediately following an injury, or at the onset of pain, the R.I.C.E. regimen should be employed. This involves Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
It is critical that the R.I.C.E.. Regimen should be implemented for 15 minutes at a time 2-3 times a day for at least the first 48 to 72 hours. Doing this will give you the best possible chance of a complete and full recovery.
The next phase of treatment (after the first 48 to 72 hours) involves a number of physical therapy techniques. The application of heat and massage is one of the most effective treatments for removing scar tissue and speeding up the healing process of the muscles and tendons. Once most of the pain has been reduced, it is time to move onto the rehabilitation phase of your treatment. The main aim of this phase is to regain the strength, power, endurance and flexibility of the muscle and tendons that have been injured.
Physical Therapy may include some of the following:
Ultrasound or laser treatment.
Cryotherapy: Ice cup or Ice
Stretching
Wrist exercises, Eccentric contranctions (negatives),
Kineseotaping
Sports massage techniques
Yoga
Other Medical Interventions:
Prolotherapy
Platlet Rich Protein injections (PRP)
Steroid injection.
Surgery as last resort
For more information please visit: Performance Spine and Sports Medicine