By: Dr. Brandon Stanley PT, DPT, Cert. DN

As we gear up for another exciting year of golfing in the Grand Strand, don't let small aches and pains limit the yards you can achieve on your long drive. A common condition that can affect golfers is medial epicondylitis. This condition has more recognizable name "golfer's elbow" which you might have heard of before.

Medial epicondylitis is caused when the tendons on the inside of the forearm become inflamed and painful due to repetitive activities involving the wrist and forearm. The tendons of the wrist flexor muscles attach to the medial epicondyle (bony bump along the inside of the elbow). The wrist flexor muscles assist with bending the wrist, fingers, and thumb and turn or hold the wrist and forearm so that the palm can face downwards. Pain can occur at the medial epicondyle which is where the muscle tendons are connected. Repetitive motion will pull at the tendons causing irritation.

Individuals with medial epicondylitis may describe pain along the inside of the forearm with wrist, hand or elbow movement. Pain or numbness/tingling that radiates from the inside of the elbow into the hand when gripping or squeezing. Tenderness and swelling along the inside of the forearm. Weakness may be noted when gripping objects.

Physical therapists are movement experts. Your local physical therapist can perform a thorough physical examination to diagnosis this condition. Strength and range of motion tests can be performed on the wrist, forearm and elbow. Your physical therapist will check for muscle imbalances and weaknesses along the affected area. Palpation of the elbow will help identify which tendons may be inflamed.

There are many options for treatment. It is important to receive treatment for golfer's elbow as possible to prevent the condition from worsening. Inflamed tendons can tear if they are untreated. Your physical therapist will work with you to construct a treatment plan that is specific to you and your goals. Your plan of care may include methods to reduce pain by avoiding painful activities. It may be recommended to use ice packs to reduce inflammation, over the counter elbow braces to help provide support, and corticosteroid injections. Manual therapy techniques such as gentle joint mobilizations, soft tissue massages, and stretches for the forearm muscles may be needed to help regain range of motion. Therapeutic exercises can help increase the strength of affected muscles. Functional training will be needed to help modify specific movements to promote less stress on the medial side of the elbow.

At Professional Rehabilitation Services, we treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions using the latest in evidence-based therapies provided by highly credentialed physical therapists. Professional Rehabilitation Services has eight convenient locations in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River and Longs.

For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP at Professional Rehabilitation Services (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Brian P. Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Lisa O'Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Samantha Crisafulli PT, DPT (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels PT, DPT (Market Commons) (843) 213-6338, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Little River) (843) 281-4222/(Longs) (843) 491-0388 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.