subject: Golfer Elbow-causes And Cures [print this page] Golfers elbow is the painful inflammatory condition caused in the tendons that connect forearm to the elbow. It is also known as medial epicondylitis and is similar to tennis elbow, both are tendinitis, but it happens on the inside of the elbow rather than outside like in tennis elbow. As the name suggest, it is not limited to golfers only, even the tennis players or anybody who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers can develop golfer's elbow.
It is also called pitchers elbow as many baseball players also develop this injury by straining tendons around elbow. Golfer's elbow is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons that control your wrist and fingers. The mechanism of the injury caused in golfers elbow can vary from a single vicious action to, more commonly, repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops.
No one is immune from these injuries, but they are most common at the beginning of the golf season, or when the offending activity is increased in intensity or duration. Many other sport- and work-related activities can cause the same problem. Lifting weights using improper technique, such as curling the wrists during a biceps exercise, can lead to overload of the elbow muscles and tendons. Painting, raking, hammering, chopping wood, typing and other repetitive wrist, hand or arm movements can result in golfer's elbow as well if done vigorously and repetitively. Another common cause of this injury is with weekend carpenters who use hand tools on occasion.
Symptoms of the Golfers elbow are:
Pain and tenderness on the inner side of your elbow. Sometimes the pain extends along the inner side of your forearm.
Your elbow may feel stiff, and it may hurt to make a fist.
You may have weakness in your hands and wrists.
Many people with golfer's elbow experience numbness or a tingling sensation that radiates into one or more fingers.
Feeling pain while swinging a golf club or racket, squeeze or pitch a ball, shake hands, turn a doorknob, or pick up something with your palm down,
Your elbow is hot and inflamed and you have a fever
You can't bend your elbow
Your elbow looks deformed
You suspect you've broken a bone
Generally by applying ice to the injured area, getting some rest and having over the counter painkillers, one can get relief from golfers elbow. But if your elbow is hot and you have fever or your elbow is looking deformed or you cant bend your elbow then you must consult rheumatologist or a physiotherapist for better treatment. They can prescribe you medication and some physiotherapy exercises to give you relief from your condition.
You yourself can do much to help you relieve that pain like getting proper rest and not indulging in vigorous activity, do not lift any heavy object, wrap your elbow by pressure bandage and give it support by using a forearm strap. In most severe condition surgery becomes necessary then you must ask your rheumatology physician for better advice. For taking doctors appointment online go to Bookmydoctor.com.
