Where golfer’s elbow hurts

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, causes pain on the inner side of the elbow, at the bony bump closest to your body when your palm faces up. The pain can spread into the forearm and sometimes toward the wrist. It is the inside-of-the-elbow cousin of tennis elbow, which affects the outer side.

Golfer’s elbow is a tendon problem, not a joint problem. It tends to build gradually rather than appearing after one injury, which is why many people ignore it for weeks before realizing it isn’t going away on its own. A sudden injury with a pop or bruising is different and should be checked promptly.

Despite the name, most people who get it don’t golf. The muscles that bend the wrist and fingers and turn the palm downward all attach at that inner bump. Any activity that loads those muscles over and over can irritate the tendon where it attaches to bone.

Who gets it, and why fall can set it off

Golfer’s elbow shows up in carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, and anyone who grips tools all day. It also appears in weightlifters, rock climbers, throwing athletes, and people who type or use a mouse for long hours. Seasonal work plays a role, too. Raking leaves, splitting firewood, hauling holiday boxes, and weekend garage projects can pile a lot of repetitive gripping onto an elbow that isn’t used to it.

Symptoms to watch for

  • Pain or tenderness on the inside of the elbow
  • Pain that gets worse when you grip, make a fist, or bend your wrist
  • A weaker grip, or dropping things more than usual
  • Elbow stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Pain when you shake hands, turn a doorknob, or lift with your palm down
  • Numbness or tingling into the ring and little fingers

That last symptom deserves attention. Tingling in the ring and little fingers may point to the ulnar nerve, which runs right along the inner elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome can occur alongside golfer’s elbow or be mistaken for it. Inner elbow pain can also come from arthritis, ligament injuries, or even the neck, so an accurate diagnosis matters before treatment begins.

Elbow pain treatment without surgery

Most cases of golfer’s elbow improve with non-surgical care, although irritated tendons can take weeks to months to calm down. At Idaho Shoulder to Hand, treatment starts with a careful evaluation to confirm what is causing your pain. From there, a plan may include changing how you grip and lift, a break from the activities that aggravate it, and a structured exercise program to rebuild tendon strength over time. For stubborn tendon pain, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are one non-surgical option we offer.

Surgery is rarely needed for golfer’s elbow. If your evaluation shows a problem that does call for surgery, our team helps place you with the right surgeon for your situation.

Small changes that help

While you heal, and to keep the problem from coming back, a few everyday adjustments can take pressure off the inner elbow. Loosen your grip on tools, steering wheels, and racquets or clubs. Lift with your palm facing up when you can, and keep heavy objects close to your body. Take short breaks during repetitive work, and switch hands or tasks when possible. Warm up before workouts and ease back into activities after time off instead of jumping straight to full effort.

Pain that lingers is your elbow asking for attention. Pushing through it for months can turn a manageable problem into a stubborn one. If inner elbow pain is getting in the way of work, workouts, or weekend projects, schedule an evaluation with Idaho Shoulder to Hand in Boise. We’ll find the source of your pain and build a plan to get you back to full strength.