Also known as medial epicondylitis, golfer’s elbow is caused due to the overuse of the muscles in the forearm that allow you to rotate your arm and flex your wrist. The following article provides information about the various treatment options available for this condition.
Golfer’s elbow is a condition caused by excessive use of the muscles and tendons of the forearm. It causes inflammation and immense pain in and around the elbow joint. It is a form of tendonitis which causes pain on the inner side of the elbow. Those who play golf must have had this injury; however, playing golf may not be the only reason behind this injury. In fact, a number of sport activities could cause this kind of arm pain.
Causes
The condition is similar to tennis elbow, but it occurs on the inside rather than outside, of your elbow. In most cases, it is the recurrent stress on the tendon attachments that results in sharp pain in elbow or the inflammation. When the tendons that stretch out the fingers and wrist get overloaded, they cause this condition. Other causes include physical training, long-term usage of PC mouse, carpentry and woodwork, and golf. Since there are many recurrent movements in golf along the same path of motion, this condition is named after this game.
Treatment
The elbow joint pain caused in this case doesn’t result in any disability, and one can follow home remedies for relief. To start with, one of the many treatments of Golfer’s elbow is the one that requires transformation in lifestyle. A patient, if stops exerting pressure on his affected forearm, could recover faster. Proper rest to the affected arm for a few weeks is very important. One may also put a strip to prevent pulling of the affected muscle.
Secondly, applying ice every now and then, not only alleviates the pain, but also reduces the swelling and inflammation. Even if ice doesn’t reduce the pain, it may protect your elbow from further injury.
Thirdly, stretching and strengthening exercises are highly beneficial in accelerating the recovery. Your doctor may provide you with a bunch of movements to perform at regular intervals. However, it is always advisable to perform them if pain isn’t too much. Exercising when you’re suffering from intolerable pain would aggravate your agony. Physical and occupational therapy may also prove beneficial.
Lastly, when all the aforementioned solutions fail, and the person is unable to recover from the condition even after six months, then surgery can be performed. Also, don’t wait for too long to visit the doctor, and don’t ignore the pain. These surgeries remove the damaged tendons and increase the blood flow to the area. This aids in healing and reattaches the bone to the tendon. Full recovery may take three to six months.
Immediate treatment includes lots of rest. Even a bit of strain could lead to serious injury, which would take years to heal.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
