The highlighted area shows the inner bony prominence of the elbow where the forearm flexor muscles attach. Original English labels.
Golfer’s elbow causes pain at the tendon attachment on the inside of the elbow. Muscles that bend the wrist and fingers and rotate the forearm attach here. The name describes only one possible trigger.
New hand weakness, progressing numbness or a hot, swollen elbow should be assessed promptly.
Causes and risk factors
Repeated forceful gripping, throwing, manual work or unfamiliar training loads can overload the tendons. Symptoms can also develop without a clear single trigger.
Typical symptoms
Pain occurs on the inside of the elbow, for example when gripping or bending the wrist against resistance. Additional irritation of the nearby ulnar nerve may cause tingling in the ring and little fingers.
Diagnosis
Examination distinguishes tendon symptoms from nerve irritation or ligament injury. We assess strength, sensation and painful movements. Further tests are selected according to the findings rather than routinely using MRI for every symptom.
Non-surgical treatment
Activity adjustments and a graded exercise plan are the priorities. Pain medication may help temporarily if tolerated. Repeated injections are not recommended routinely. Changes in working methods are an important part of treatment when work causes overloading.
Surgical options
Surgical assessment is considered only for persistent, significant limitations despite appropriate treatment. Any additional nerve compression needs separate consideration. The indication depends on the individual findings.
Aftercare and rehabilitation
Exercises start at an appropriate level and are increased as tolerated. Sport and work should not abruptly return to previous maximum levels. Persistent sensory changes need another examination and should not simply be attributed to tendon pain.
Common questions
Is this the same as tennis elbow?
The underlying problem is similar, but the tendon attachment on the inside rather than the outside is affected.
Why is my little finger tingling?
Additional irritation of the ulnar nerve may be responsible. This should be examined specifically.
Arrange a consultation
We discuss which treatment is suitable for your findings and which procedures are available within our outpatient service during a personal consultation. Outpatient operations take place at an external surgical centre.
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Further reading
Selected external resources about this condition. Some linked publications are in German.
Medical background
Sources & further information
These professional and patient resources provide further information about this condition. The text on this page is independently written.
AAOS: Golfer’s elbowIQWiG: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow