Golfers Elbow in Kennewick, WA

Golfer's elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is a soreness or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow. It also has alternative names such as Epitrochlear bursitis; Lateral epicondylitis; Epicondylitis - lateral; Tendonitis - elbow. It also can become a chronic issue caused by swelling of the tendons that connect the forearm to the outer side of the elbow. 

The swelling ultimately damages the muscles and tendons from using them over and over again. That is why Golfer's elbow can be diagnosed as an overuse injury. Pain is often experienced on the outer side of the elbow, and the condition can be extremely painful. While playing tennis regularly can result in this condition, many patients treated for this condition don’t actually play tennis. Repetitive activities cause the tendons to get overworked, causing small tears.

To prevent this type of overuse injury, you simply have to not overuse it. If you start to have pain in the lateral side of the elbow (Golfer's Elbow), the best way to try to avoid the pain is to do things with the palm-up position. By putting your palm up, you transfer the forces from the hand to the medial side of the elbow.  Despite its name, this condition is not limited to golfers and can affect anyone who engages in repetitive wrist and forearm movements.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of golfer's elbow is pain on the inner side of the elbow, which can extend into the forearm and wrist. This pain often worsens with activities such as lifting, gripping, or twisting the forearm.

Other symptoms may include:

• Weakness in the hand and wrist.
• Stiffness in the elbow.
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially the ring and little fingers.
• Pain when making a fist.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing golfer's elbow typically involves a physical examination where a healthcare provider will assess the pain and tenderness around the elbow. They may also ask you to move your elbow, wrist, and fingers in various ways to pinpoint the pain. In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans may be used to rule out other conditions.

Treatments

Treatment for golfer's elbow focuses on relieving pain and promoting healing. Common treatments include:

• Rest and Activity Modification: Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.
• Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be effective.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility can be beneficial. A physical therapist may also recommend using a brace or strap to reduce strain on the tendons.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be used to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Surgery: In severe cases where other treatments fail, surgical options to remove damaged tissue may be considered.