If you have been dealing with a nagging pain on the inside of your elbow whenever you grip something or use your arm, you might be dealing with a case of golfer’s elbow. We treat golfer’s elbow frequently at our clinic in Hartland, WI. Most people who have golfer’s elbow aren’t even golfers.
I will dive into what golfer’s elbow is, and why it happens in people who golf and people who don’t.
What is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is an irritation of the tendons on the inside of the elbow. The wrist and finger flexor tendons attach to a bone on the inside of your elbow, and this is where the pain occurs. It often shows up as pain when gripping or stretching out your arm. It can feel bruised and sore, like someone hit the inside of your elbow with something.
The tendons get irritated due to overuse and too much stress on the wrist and elbow. Repetitive movements and poor technique are the most common things that lead to overuse.
It is very similar to tennis elbow, which happens when the tendons on the outside of your elbow get irritated.
How Golfer’s Elbow Develops with Golf
Golfer’s elbow got its name because it happens in people who golf. The most common reasons for the pain on the inside of your elbow with golfing are too much too soon, hitting surface, and improper technique.
Too Much Too Soon
A big change in how much you are swinging a club and hitting balls can lead to golfer’s elbow. This is the most simple but the most frustrating. You should gradually increase the amount of swings you take over a few weeks.
You can’t make up for a few months off in one week. That is a sure way to irritate something. Here in Hartland, WI, it is hard to play any golf in the winter, so this is an easy trap to fall into once the weather finally gets nice.
Hitting Surface
The surface you hit on can make a big difference. Hitting on grass versus mats can impact how your elbow feels. Typically, hitting off mats leads to more wrist and elbow issues because it is a harder surface and the force from the impact travels up into your wrist and elbow.
Grass is more forgiving and more realistic, but not always as available. Be mindful of the surface you are hitting on. As mats get older, their cushion wears out and can lead to more issues with the wrist and elbow.
Improper Technique
The technique of your golf swing can also lead to golfer’s elbow. If you are relying on your hands and trying to flip the ball up in the air, it leads to overuse of the wrist and elbow.
Limitations in other parts of the body could be causing poor technique and inside elbow pain. Getting a full-body golf assessment is key to making sure you can swing more efficiently and avoid injuries.
A poor grip can also lead to increased stress on your elbow. You may be gripping too tight or need a different size grip.
How Golfer’s Elbow Develops in Non-Golfers
Sometimes people ask us, “Why do I have golfer’s elbow? I have never golfed in my life.”
You don’t have to play golf in order to get golfer’s elbow. Most of the cases we see are in people who are not golfers. The most common causes are repetitive movements, poor technique, and weakness.
Repetitive Movements
Since golfer’s elbow is an injury caused by overuse, repetitive movements are the main cause. Jobs that involve working with tools or typing all day are the most common.
These movements involve gripping and using the wrist and finger flexors all day long. Because the muscles are being used constantly, they never get a break and get irritated over time.
Poor Technique
We see a lot of CrossFit athletes at our clinic in Hartland, WI. Since CrossFit involves a lot of gripping with a bar, technique becomes important.
If you don’t have good pull-up or Olympic lifting technique, pain on the inside of the elbow can occur. The elbow ends up taking on too much stress from the movement.
Weakness
Weakness of the shoulder and wrist/forearm can also lead to golfer’s elbow. It places extra stress on the inside of the elbow during gripping activities.
What To Do Now
Golfer’s elbow can happen in golfers and non-golfers. It is primarily an overuse injury of the tendons that attach on the inside of the elbow.
This injury is particularly frustrating because you rely on your hands and grip countless times throughout the day, serving as a constant reminder of the pain.
If you’re struggling with golfer’s elbow and live near Hartland, WI, reach out to us — we’re here to help you find lasting relief.
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