We provide this free health resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their lifestyle.

Most golf courses are filled with professional, amateur and novice golfers, many of whom are baby boomers, seniors or other Prime Time Adults. While most have felt the agony of searching through prickly briars for a sliced tee shot, some golfers may also suffer the pain of golfer’s elbow.

Golfer’s elbow, more properly called medial epicondylitis, is an inflammation of the tendon on the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the inside of the elbow. The epicondyle is the point of origin for muscles which flex the wrist and the fingers. Therefore, activities which require a forceful or repetitive gripping, pushing or pulling can strain these small muscles and cause inflammation of the epicondyle. Symptoms of golfer’s elbow include pain and local swelling on the inside of the elbow, as well as weakness in the hand and forearm.

The prevalence of medial epicondylitis among golfers earned it the nickname of golfer’s elbow. There are several factors which cause this common condition among golfers. The first cause stems from overuse. Just as overuse can lead to a sore back or shoulder, excessive strokes can lead to inflammation of the forearm muscles, especially the weak and untrained muscles of a novice golfer.

Also, many players overuse their rear hand in their swing, causing excessive strain on the muscles in that arm. Many beginners try to power the club through with the hand, instead of using it properly to guide the club through the swing. In doing this, the wrist and finger flexors of the forearm are overloaded and this can lead to a strain. Also, missing the ball on a stroke and hitting the ground with the club during an attempted stroke can cause a traumatic injury to the flexor muscles and start the inflammation process.

If you are suffering from golfer’s elbow, the following steps will help ease the pain and get you back to the golf course:
* Rest the arm by taking several days off from golf.
* Avoid painful motions or switch hands to perform tasks.
* Apply ice to the elbow with ice pack or ice massage three to four times a day.
* Apply a support brace just below the elbow.
* For persistent pain, seek medical treatment.

If the pain persists for an extended period of time, you may want to seek medical treatment. In some cases doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections to decrease inflammation. Rarely, in some chronic cases, surgery is required to release tension on the epicondyle and remove scar tissue.

Physical therapy may be used to decrease pain and inflammation. With physical therapy, patients can work to restore flexibility and strength to their elbow. Physical therapy treatments include phonophoresis, which uses ultrasound to introduce anti-inflammatory medication to the area or iontophoresis, which uses electrical current to introduce anti-inflammatory medication. Under the guidance of a physical therapist, patients can also perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises and gradually increase them.

Before returning to golf, it may help to talk to your local golf professional about improving your swing. He or she may offer suggestions for changing your grip or positioning to minimize the stress on the forearm muscles and prevent future problems.

As you return to play it is important to progress slowly and methodically from putting to chipping and then to full swings. A thorough warm-up of forearm, wrist and finger stretching prior to play will also help prevent further problems.

(Courtesy of David Vaughn at Vaughn, Buchanan Shelley and Associates, Physical Therapists, in Greenville, South Carolina, phone 864-234-5842.)

And, you might want to check out our variety of products designed to reduce the frequency and extent of arm and elbow injuries in our SUPPORT PRODUCTS department.