Treatment for Golfers Elbow - Elbow Tendonitis

Also considered a form of elbow tendonitis, golfers elbow is similar to tennis elbow in the painful effect it has on the elbow area, where the forearm meets the olecranon - the bony portion of the elbow. Though named for the sport wherein many of the athletes experience this injury, golfers elbow commonly afflicts tennis players, swimmer, bowlers, weightlifters and other Southern California residents who repetitively use the arm and elbow.

Golfers elbow occurs with repetitive overuse, and begins through small tears to the elbow tendons, progressing over time and causing increasing damage. The main difference between golfers elbow and tennis elbow is the portion of the elbow negatively affected; golfers elbow affects the tendons running interior to the elbow, while tennis elbow affects the tendons running along the exterior of the elbow. Comparatively, golfers elbow is less common that tennis elbow.

To treat golfers elbow, Dr. Reisch will typically assess your symptoms and conduct a physical exam, as imaging technology like X-Rays and MRIs are less effective in diagnosing golfers elbow than other sports, or overuse injuries. Treatment for golfers elbow varies depending on the severity of the cause, but rest and physical therapy are common non-surgical methods of treatment. To address painful symptoms related to golfers elbow, Dr. Reisch may suggest anti-inflammatory medication, among other treatment techniques. Though it is rare, surgery is sometimes required if your golfers elbow is non-responsive to non-surgical routes of treatment and continues to cause you regular discomfort.