Golfer's Elbow Treatment
Golfer's Elbow Treatment
Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Haldwani at Healthcapes helps patients dealing with medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer’s elbow, baseball elbow, or suitcase elbow. It causes pain running from the inner side of the elbow down toward the wrist, resulting from damage to the tendons that bend your wrist toward your palm. Despite the name, it can affect anyone whose activities put repeated strain on these tendons, not just golfe
What Causes Golfer's Elbow
Golfer’s elbow develops from excessive force used to bend the wrist toward the palm, commonly seen when swinging a golf club or pitching a baseball. Other common causes include:
- Serving with great force in tennis, or using a spin serve
- Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
- Using a tennis racket that’s too tightly strung, too short, or too heavy
- Throwing a javelin
- Carrying a heavy suitcase
- Chopping wood with an axe
- Operating a chainsaw
- Frequent, continuous use of other hand tools
Symptoms of Golfer's Elbow
Symptoms can develop gradually with overuse, or appear suddenly following an injury, ranging from mild to genuinely severe. Common signs include:
- Pain when flexing the wrist toward the forearm
- Pain extending from the inside of the elbow through the wrist to the pinky finger
- A weak grip
- Pain when shaking hands
- Difficulty moving the elbow
- A tingling sensation reaching the ring and pinky fingers
- A stiff elbow
- Noticeable wrist weakness
How We Diagnose Golfer's Elbow at Healthcapes
Diagnosis typically starts with a discussion of your daily activities at home and work, along with a physical examination. This usually involves resting your forearm on a table with the palm facing up, while pressure is applied to the hand as you flex it toward the wrist; pain on the inner side of the elbow during this movement is a strong indicator of golfer’s elbow. In some cases, an X-ray may be recommended to rule out other causes.
Golfer's Elbow Treatment in Haldwani at Healthcapes
Once we understand the extent of your tendon damage, we build a treatment plan around it. This typically includes physiotherapy to strengthen the forearm and wrist muscles and correct technique or movement patterns contributing to strain, along with therapies like Deep Tissue Laser Therapy or Shock Wave Therapy to reduce inflammation and support tendon healing. We also work with you on activity modification, whether that’s swing technique, grip equipment, or repetitive tool use, to reduce the risk of it returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow, while tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outside. Both are caused by similar repetitive strain, just in different tendon groups.
Not necessarily, but continuing the aggravating activity without addressing the underlying strain usually makes it worse. Your therapist can guide you on safe modifications during treatment.
This varies by severity, but many patients see meaningful improvement within a few weeks to a couple of months of consistent treatment.
Yes, especially if the underlying cause, like technique or repetitive strain, isn’t addressed alongside treatment. Working on prevention alongside recovery helps reduce this risk.