Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
Medial epicondylitis, or Golfer's Elbow, affects the opposite side of the elbow as lateral epidondylitis, or Tennis Elbow. Therefore it is easy to differentiate between the two based on
the location of the pain - medial identifies the inside portion of the elbow and lateral the outer portion.
While the condition is referred to as Golfer’s Elbow, any number of activities subjecting the wrist and elbow to constant and excessive force, causing damage to the tendons responsible
for bending the elbow, can result in medial epicondylitis - including pitching, chopping wood, serving a tennis ball or swinging a golf club.
The symptom most commonly associated with the condition is pain that generates from the elbow to the wrist - along the palmar side of the forearm.
Risk Factors
Both athletes and average adults who apply repeated bending force to the wrist and elbow are likely to experience medial epicondylitis. It is most often seen in
individuals between the ages of 20 and 40, who are involved in certain sports or forceful manual labor activities.
Treatment
A physical examination and review of the patient's history and lifestyle help determine diagnosis and the best form of treatment. While most often treated with conservative
treatment, which may entail cold compression, anti-inflammatory medications, and rehabilitative exercises, surgical repair may be
necessary in cases of more severe ligament damage. |
