Golfer's Elbow Treatment

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis, or medial elbow tendinopathy) is pain at the bony point on the inside of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles that flex the wrist and fingers attach. As with tennis elbow, the name is misleading: most people who develop it are not golfers. Manual work, lifting, gym training, climbing, and racquet or throwing sports are all common causes.

It is less common than tennis elbow but behaves the same way: a tendon whose load capacity has been exceeded, which is why it responds to progressive strengthening rather than rest alone. Because the ulnar nerve runs close to the medial elbow, symptoms such as tingling in the ring and little fingers need to be checked as part of a proper assessment. At Lower Limb Clinic our clinicians examine the elbow, wrist, and neck to confirm the diagnosis, with in-house diagnostic ultrasound available where imaging is needed.

Full-body physiotherapy is now available at Lower Limb Clinic in Belfast. Book online to see our physiotherapist.

Treatment follows the same evidence-based principles as tennis elbow, adapted to the medial tendons: settle symptoms with load management and isometric holds, then progressively strengthen the wrist flexors, grip, and the wider kinetic chain including the shoulder and trunk. We modify rather than stop the activity that caused it, use manual therapy where it helps, and screen the ulnar nerve and neck so nothing is missed. Shockwave therapy is available in-house for chronic cases that have not responded to loading.