Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's Elbow Treatment in Fairfax and Arlington, VA
Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow due to irritation and damage to the forearm tendons. Symptoms may include elbow stiffness, reduced grip strength, and pain that interferes with work, sports, and everyday activities. Dr. Robert Najarian, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine who evaluates sports-related injuries and musculoskeletal conditions in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. He helps patients explore treatment options based on their symptoms, activity levels, and recovery goals.
What is Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis, is a painful condition occurring from repeated muscle contractions in the forearm that leads to inflammation and microtears in the tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle.
Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are similar, except that golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside of the elbow and tennis elbow occurs on the outside of the elbow. Both conditions are a type of tendonitis - inflammation of the tendons.
What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is usually caused by the overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that control wrist and finger movement, but may also be caused by direct trauma such as a fall, car accident or work injury.
Golfer’s elbow is commonly seen in golfers; hence the name. It occurs especially when poor technique or unsuitable equipment is used when hitting the ball. Other common causes include any activity that requires repetitive motion of the forearm such as painting, hammering, typing, raking, pitching sports, gardening, shoveling, fencing and playing golf.
Robert Najarian, M.D.
Dr. Najarian is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. With additional fellowship training in sports medicine and more than 18 years of experience, he specializes in treating the knee, shoulder, and elbow, as well as all sports-related injuries. His area of focus is in the treatment of knee cartilage and ligamentous injury, shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair, and elbow injuries in the throwing athlete (Tommy John Surgery). He has been named a Washingtonian Top Doctor since 2016.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow?
The signs and symptoms of golfer’s elbow can include the following:
- Elbow pain that appears suddenly or gradually
- Achy pain to the inner side of the elbow during activity
- Elbow stiffness with decreased range of motion
- Pain that radiates to the inner forearm, hand or wrist
- Weakened grip
- Increased pain while gripping objects
- Increased pain in the elbow when the wrist is flexed or bent forward toward the forearm
How is Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosed?
Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a thorough physical examination of your elbow joint. Your physician may order an X-ray to rule out a fracture or arthritis as the cause of your pain. Occasionally, if the diagnosis is unclear, further tests such as MRI, ultrasonography and injection test may be ordered to confirm golfer’s elbow.
What are the Treatment Options for Golfer’s Elbow?
Conservative Treatment Options for Golfer’s Elbow
Your physician will recommend conservative treatment options to treat the symptoms associated with golfer’s elbow. These may include the following:
- Activity restrictions: Limit the use and rest your arm from activities that worsen symptoms.
- Orthotics: Splints or braces may be ordered to decrease stress on the injured tissues.
- Ice: Ice packs applied to the injury will help reduce swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 20 minutes, four times a day for a couple of days. Never place ice directly over the skin.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications and/or steroid injections may be ordered to treat the pain and swelling.
- Occupational therapy: OT may be ordered for strengthening and stretching exercises once your symptoms have reduced.
- Pulsed ultrasound: This is a treatment used by therapists to break up scar tissue and increase blood flow to the injured tendons and promote healing.
- Professional instruction: Consulting a sports professional to assess and instruct in proper swing technique and appropriate equipment may be recommended to prevent recurrence.
Surgery for Golfer’s Elbow
If conservative treatment options fail to resolve the condition and symptoms persist for 6 - 12 months, your surgeon may recommend surgery to treat golfer’s elbow. The goal of surgery is to remove the diseased tissue around the inner elbow, improve blood supply to the area to promote healing and alleviate the symptoms.
Why Choose Dr. Najarian for Golfer’s Elbow in Fairfax and Arlington, VA?
- Orthopedic sports medicine expertise: Dr. Najarian is board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, with specialized training in sports-related injuries.
- Advanced training: He completed his orthopedic residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a sports health fellowship at Cleveland Clinic.
- Individualized treatment planning: Recommendations consider symptom severity, daily activities, and the response to previous treatments.
- Focus on restoring function: Treatment planning aims to improve elbow comfort, grip strength, and mobility so patients can work toward returning to their usual activities.
- Convenient local care: Patients can access orthopedic sports medicine care in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia.
Golfer’s Elbow FAQs
Golfer’s elbow usually develops from repetitive strain on the forearm muscles and tendons that bend the wrist and fingers. Activities such as golfing, throwing, gardening, painting, hammering, and lifting can contribute to the condition. It may also occur following an injury to the elbow.
Common symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, stiffness, reduced grip strength, and discomfort that may extend into the forearm or wrist. Pain can worsen when gripping objects, lifting, or bending the wrist toward the forearm.
Diagnosis typically involves reviewing your medical history, discussing repetitive activities or injuries, and examining the elbow. Your clinician may assess tenderness, grip strength, and wrist movement. X-rays may be used to evaluate other causes of pain, while ultrasound or MRI may be recommended when the diagnosis is uncertain or another injury is suspected.
Most cases are initially treated without surgery. Treatment may include modifying activities that aggravate symptoms, applying ice, using an appropriate brace, and participating in physical or occupational therapy. Medication or selected injections may be considered when appropriate. Treatment is tailored to symptom severity and individual needs.
Surgery may be considered when pain persists despite several months of appropriate nonsurgical treatment and continues to limit daily activities. The procedure generally involves removing damaged tendon tissue and addressing the affected tendon attachment. An orthopedic surgeon can determine whether surgery is appropriate after evaluating your condition and previous treatments.
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the tendon injury, the activities that aggravate it, and the treatment used. Many patients improve over several weeks to months with activity modification and rehabilitation. Recovery after surgery generally takes longer and may require a structured physical therapy program before returning to strenuous activities or sports.
Schedule a Golfer’s Elbow Consultation in Fairfax or Arlington, VA
Persistent inner elbow pain can make gripping, lifting, exercising, and performing everyday tasks uncomfortable. If you are experiencing symptoms of golfer’s elbow, Dr. Robert Najarian provides orthopedic sports medicine care in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms, review appropriate treatment options, and develop a care plan tailored to your activity level and recovery goals.
