Question 1

What is golfer's elbow?

Accepted Answer

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a painful condition affecting the inner elbow. It's caused by degeneration and microscopic tearing of the tendons that attach your wrist flexor and forearm pronator muscles to the medial epicondyle (bony bump on inside of elbow). Despite the name, only 10-20% of people with golfer's elbow actually play golf - it mainly affects people with repetitive wrist flexion activities in work or sport. It's less common than tennis elbow (about 3-4 times less common). Affects people aged 35-55 most commonly. The ulnar nerve runs right next to the affected area, so 40-60% of people also have nerve symptoms (numbness/tingling in ring and pinky fingers).

Question 2

What's the difference between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow?

Accepted Answer

Both are overuse tendinopathies but affect different sides of elbow. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis): Pain on inner (pinky) side of elbow. Affects wrist flexor tendons (muscles that bend wrist forward). Less common. Often has associated ulnar nerve symptoms (numbness in ring/pinky fingers). Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Pain on outer (thumb) side of elbow. Affects wrist extensor tendons (muscles that bend wrist backward). More common (3-4 times more common). Rarely has nerve involvement. Treatment similar for both: activity modification, physiotherapy, eccentric exercises, consider injection, surgery if conservative fails. Both take 6-12 months to resolve.

Question 3

Why do my ring and pinky fingers tingle?

Accepted Answer

The ulnar nerve runs in a groove right behind the medial epicondyle (same spot that's inflamed in golfer's elbow). In 40-60% of golfer's elbow cases, the nerve gets irritated by the inflammation and swelling, causing numbness or tingling in ring and pinky fingers (areas supplied by ulnar nerve). Sometimes the nerve is also compressed or unstable (subluxes out of groove). This is why it's important to assess nerve involvement - severe or progressive nerve symptoms may need additional treatment (nerve decompression surgery) even if tendon symptoms improve. Tell your doctor about any finger numbness - it affects treatment decisions.

Question 4

How long does golfer's elbow take to heal?

Accepted Answer

Most people take 6-18 months to fully recover. Timeline: 6-12 weeks initial improvement, 3-6 months significant improvement, 6-12 months complete resolution for most. About 80-90% improve with conservative treatment. If you have associated ulnar nerve symptoms, recovery may take longer and be less predictable. Factors affecting recovery: how long you've had it before treatment (longer = slower), compliance with activity modification, consistency with exercises, severity of tendon degeneration, and ulnar nerve involvement. If you need surgery, add another 4-6 months for full recovery.

Question 5

Should I get a cortisone injection?

Accepted Answer

Cortisone injections for golfer's elbow are more risky than for tennis elbow because the ulnar nerve runs very close to the injection site - if cortisone injected incorrectly, can permanently damage nerve. Like tennis elbow, cortisone provides short-term relief but worse long-term outcomes than physiotherapy alone. Consider cortisone only if: severe pain affecting function, tried physiotherapy without improvement, need short-term relief for important event. If getting injection: ensure done by experienced doctor (preferably under ultrasound guidance to avoid nerve), maximum 2-3 lifetime, combine with physiotherapy. Alternative: PRP injection may be safer (less nerve damage risk) and potentially better long-term, but expensive ($300-800, not covered by Medicare) and mixed evidence.

Medical Disclaimer

Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

📖What is Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

🔬What Causes It?

⚠️Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk if:

🛡️Prevention