Golfers Elbow Remedies and Solutions

Education: Golfer’s elbow: Traditionally called Medial epicondylitis. Recently, also referred to as medial elbow tendonosis when it becomes chronic. It is an injury to the common wrist flexor tendon located at the inside of the elbow. The tendon connects to 4 muscles of the forearm that are responsible for finger flexion (gripping), wrist flexion (lifting the wrist up when palm is up), pronation (rotating the palm down). It is also a very weak elbow flexor, which will compensate when the biceps fatigue.

The injury may be sudden such as extreme forceful gripping with an awkward posture. Example: Changing a tire and trying to turn a difficult lug nut. The injury may be gradual such as repetitive gripping with an awkward posture. Example: Worker extends elbow, rotates palm and bends wrist to pull a large bolt out of a skid. Worker then places nuts and washers onto the bolt, gripping bolt while forcing it into a nutting machine. This may be performed repetitively over shift/days/weeks/months. Prevention:

It is important for handles to have a good grip. 1 ½” diameter with at least 5” length with good friction.

Use power tools instead of manual tools

Use jigs and fixtures to hold work

Perform gripping activities with elbow at 90° with palms facing each other and wrists straight.

Frequently perform stretching to reduce fatigue

Golfers Elbow Remedies and Solutions

Treamtment:

Acute trauma: o Ice 15 minutes, 4 x day

o NSAID’s – Ibuprofen, Aleve, aspirin- follow directions on bottle

o Rest: avoid repetitive or forceful gripping

o Protection: forearm strap to help reduce tension on the tendon, wrist splint to

support the wrist. Caution: Can possibly make problem worse if fighting wrist

splint. Doctors are mixed on the use of wrist splints.

Chronic:

o Moist heat 15 minutes, 4 x day

o Deep cross friction massage, 5 minutes 2 x day

o Gradual progression of stretching

o Gradual progression of strengthening

o NSAID’s may impede healing process- Tylenol is best OTC medicine to use for

pain relief and will not impede healing

Bilateral Active Composite Wrist Flexor Stretch

Peak Ergonomics, Inc © 2012 PeakErgonomics.com

Purpose: To reduce fatigue of the elbow, forearm, wrist and fingers. Workers who perform forceful

or repetitive grasping may benefit by performing this stretch every 2 hours. If you have any medical

problems, then please consult a health care professional before attempting.

If you experience pain, tingling or numbness, then perform stretch more gently or

discontinue until consulting with a health care professional.

Start with elbows straight, palms up,

bend wrist down so fingers point at floor

Move arms back and squeeze shoulder

blades together and hold for 15 seconds