If you’re experiencing pain and think you may require golfers elbow surgery, seek medical attention from a sports injury clinic near you. Orthopedic Associates offers a full spectrum of musculoskeletal care, along with in-house physical therapy, and state-of-the-art-technology including our digital imaging and open MRI, and an on-site surgical center for more patient convenience.

Golfers Elbow Surgery

Golfer’s Elbow, known to us as Medial Epicondylitis, is the inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow, which causes the inner side of the elbow joint pain and becomes tender to the touch. It often affects those who play golf (hence the name) and other sports which involve throwing. Golfer’s Elbow can also occur to those in manual labor occupations, or those to which involve climbing may also be affected. The term is not subject to just those who just play golf.

Golfer’s elbow is not as well known as Tennis elbow, but similar in the fact that both are forms of elbow tendinitis. The difference is that tennis elbow stems from damage to tendons on the outside of the elbow, while tendons cause golfer’s elbow on the inside.

Golfer’s Elbow is one of the most persistent conditions that many people are faced with. Whether it’s due to a sudden trauma or the result of repetitive strain, once damaged, the elbow can be incredibly difficult to heal on its own.

Golfers Elbow Home Remedy Treatments

There are many different types of Golfer’s Elbow exercises and home remedy treatments that have had success with relieving pain. These exercises can be split into two areas that focus on stretching and strengthening.

Elbow Stretches

1. Bend the wrist of your injured arm back and forward as far as you can. Do two sets of fifteen every day in the morning.
2. Press the back of the hand on your injured side with your other hand to help bend your wrist. Hold for 30 seconds. Then stretch the hand back by pressing the fingers in a backward direction. Keep the arm on your injured side straight during this exercise. Do three sets.
3. Bend the elbow of your injured arm 90 degrees, keeping your elbow at your side. Turn your palm up and hold for ten seconds. Then slowly turn your palm down and hold for five seconds. Make sure you keep your elbow at your side and bent 90 degrees while you do the exercise. Do 2 sets of 15.

Elbow Strengthening

1. Hold a gallon of milk by the handle in the hand of your injured side with your palm up. Use the hand on the side that is not injured to bend your wrist up. Then let go of your wrist and use just your injured side to lower the weight slowly back to the starting position. Gradually increase the weight you are holding.
2. Squeeze a soft rubber ball and hold the squeeze for 5 seconds throughout the day.
   Forearm pronation and supination strengthening: Hold a soup can or hammer handle in your hand and bend your elbow 90 degrees. Slowly turn your hand so your palm is up and then down. Do 2 sets of 15.
3. Hold a lightweight with your palm up. Slowly bend your elbow so that your hand is coming toward your shoulder. Then lower it slowly so your arm is completely straight.

Golfers Elbow Surgery Recovery Time

All injuries are different, but golfers elbow surgery is an option that many people choose to take often. The surgeon cleans up the tendon, removing only the damaged tissue. A commonly used surgery for golfer’s elbow is called a medial epicondyle release. This surgery takes tension off the flexor tendon.

Golfers Elbow Surgery begins by making an incision along the arm over the medial epicondyle. The key to nonsurgical treatment is to keep the collagen from breaking down further. The goal is to help the tendon heal.

If the problem is caused by inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may give you some relief. If inflammation doesn’t go away, your doctor may inject the elbow with cortisone, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. The benefits are temporary, but they can last for a period of weeks to several months.

In most cases where the tendon is inflamed, nonsurgical treatment is usually only needed for four to six weeks. When symptoms are from tendonosis, you can expect healing to take longer, usually up to three months. If the tendonosis is chronic and severe, complete healing can take up to six months

Doctors usually have their patients with this procedure work with a physical or occupational therapist afterward. The therapist will likely give you tips on how to rest your elbow and advice to go about daily activities without putting extra strain on your elbow. Your therapist will also likely apply tape to take some of the load off the muscles in your arm. Some may use a strap that wraps around the upper forearm in a way that relieves the pressure on the tendon attachment in your elbow.

Elbow Doctors Near Me

Visit one of Orthopedic Associates two locations or request an appointment today to be on your way to feeling better.