Golfer’s elbow cure

Do repetitive movements make your elbow hurt and prevent you from doing your favorite activities? You might need the help of a professional to get a proper golfers elbow cure and treatment that will rapidly ease your persistent elbow pain.

What is golfer’s elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain during movements where your forearm muscles’ tendons connect to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. The discomfort may spread to your forearm and wrist. It is comparable to tennis elbow, which develops on the outside of the elbow.

What are the symptoms of golfer’s elbow?

Medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as golfer’s elbow, causes pain where the flexor muscles of the wrist and fingers attach to the bone on the inner side of the elbow. This pain tends to increase when bending the wrist or during pronation (internal wrist rotation), especially during repetitive activities.

An ultrasound or MRI is needed to diagnose this injury and exclude conditions such as distal biceps tendon tear. It is important to make sure that the patient does not have ulnar nerve entrapment or a ligament issue (which are common in athletes) before going through a golfers elbow cure.

What are the possible repercussions?

The most common result of this condition is that it limits the patient’s daily activities (for example, difficulty holding the weight of a tool, a golf club or a racket causing poor grip). Pain can also worsen at night, causing trouble sleeping. 

Patients may also lose elbow range of movement and mobility. It is important to go through a golfer elbow cure with a professional to properly treat this condition and avoid long-term issues.

What are the non-surgical golfers elbow cure?

There are several non-surgical golfer’s elbow cure and treatment options.

• Treatments like physical and occupational therapy, osteopathy, and acupuncture cure more than 90% of cases.
• If pain persists after six months of golfer’s elbow treatment and rest, patients need to have an ultrasound or MRI and be seen by an orthopaedist to evaluate surgical options.

What is the golfer’s elbow surgical treatment?

Tenotomy with debridement and tendon repair is the surgical method used. This involves cleaning the damaged tendon, releasing excess tension, and letting the tendon reattach to the surrounding muscles.

About the procedure

• Outpatient procedure
• Short two- to three-centimetre incision
• Length of procedure: 30 to 45 minutes
• Local anesthesia – the patient remains conscious during the procedure

Golfer’s elbow cure: Post-surgical recovery

Patients may be escorted home immediately after their procedure. The elbow may be mobilized immediately after surgery. Patients must take pain relievers during the first two to three days after surgery.

About recovery

• Physical therapy will be recommended if needed.
• Non-physical activities may be resumed the next day if pain levels permit.
• Patients can resume non-strenuous activities during the first week (cooking, driving, writing, typing).
• Physical activity may be resumed gradually six to eight weeks post surgery. Non-strenuous sports (like golf) can be resumed two months after surgery and strenuous sports and exercises (like tennis) can be resumed approximately four months after surgery.
• Full recovery normally takes between four and six months.
• Success rate: 90% to 95%
• Complications are relatively rare (<1%).

Get a golfer’s elbow cure with a professional

Dr. Beauchamp is an experienced surgeon of the elbow and shoulder and is one of the 3 most qualified orthopaedic surgeons in Montreal. Contact us now to get an appointment in our clinic and ease your pain for good!