Golfer's Elbow Central - A source of information and relief for sufferers of Medial Epicondylitis, more commonly known as Golfers Elbow

Medial Epicondylitis is usually referred to as "Golfer's Elbow", not because only golfers develop the ailment, but because that activity is a common cause of the problem.

There are many other activities that can result in Golfer's Elbow such as working out at the gym or simply working in front of a computer for prolonged periods. Each of these activities use the same muscles repetitively and can result in the inflammation of muscles, ligaments & tendons.

Two additional strains, Lateral Epicondylitis (more commonly known as Tennis Elbow) and Bursitis, are often mistaken for Medial Epicondylitis. Before we delve into the options that are available for relieving & preventing the pain...let’s look at the distinguishing characteristics of each of these 3 ailments.

Tennis Elbow
(lateral epicondylitis)
Outside of Elbow
Cause & Symptoms

The onset of pain, on the outside (lateral) of the elbow, is usually gradual with tenderness felt on or below the joint's bony prominence. Movements such as gripping, lifting and carrying tend to be troublesome.

Golfer’s Elbow
(medial epicondylitis)
Inside of Elbow
Cause & Symptoms

The causes of golfer's elbow are similar to tennis elbow but pain and tenderness are felt on the inside (medial) of the elbow, on or around the joint's bony prominence.

Bursitis
Back of Elbow
Cause & Symptoms

Often due to excessive leaning on the joint or a direct blow or fall onto the tip of the elbow.
A lump can often be seen and the elbow is painful at the back of the joint.

The Physiology Of Golfer's Elbow

The muscles of the forearm that pull the wrist down are called wrist flexors. They begin at a common tendon attachment on the inside bump of the elbow called the medial epicondyle (below). As the wrist is flexed or the hand made to grip, the muscles tense and pull against the tendons. Force placed on the flexor muscles during a golf swing pulls on the tendons at the medial epicondyle.

Golfer’s Elbow, is similar to its counterpart, Tennis Elbow. The primary difference between the two is the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles of the forearm leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint.

These problems, Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow, are forms of tendonitis. Tendons are the ends of muscles that attach to bone. Because of the force of the muscle, the points of insertion of the tendon on the bone are often pointed prominences.

The medical names of Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis) come from the names of these bony prominences where the tendons insert, and where the inflammation causes the pain. The pain of Golfer’s Elbow is usually at the elbow joint on the inside of the arm; a shooting sensation down the forearm is also common while gripping objects.

Symptoms Of Golfer's Elbow

Tenderness and pain at the medial epicondyle, made worse by flexing the wrist. The pain may spread down the forearm. Activities that use the flexor muscles like bending the wrist or grasping can make matters worse.
Pain caused by lifting or bending the arm or grasping even light objects such as a coffee cup.
Difficulty extending the forearm fully (because of inflamed muscles, tendons and ligaments).
Pain that typically lasts for 6 to 12 weeks; the discomfort can continue for as little as 3 weeks or as long as several years.

Relief of Golfer’s Elbow

The best way to relieve Medial Epicondylitis is to stop doing anything that irritates your arm. A simple step for the weekend athlete, but not as easy for the manual laborer, office worker, or professional athlete.

The most effective conventional and alternative treatments for Epicondylitis have the same basic premise: Rest the arm until the pain disappears, then massage to relieve stress and tension in the muscles, and exercise to strengthen the area and prevent re-injury. If you must go back to whatever caused the problem in the first place, be sure to warm up your arm for at least 5 to 10 minutes with gentle stretching and movement before starting any activity. Take frequent breaks.

For most mild to moderate cases of Epicondylitis, aspirin or ibuprofen will help address the inflammation and the pain while you are resting the injury, and then you can follow up with exercise and massage to speed healing. For stubborn cases of Epicondylitis your doctor may advise corticosteroid injections, which dramatically reduce inflammation, but they cannot be used long-term because of potentially damaging side effects.

Another attractive option for many sufferers, especially those who prefer to not ingest medication orally, is the application of an appropriate and effective topical anti-inflammatory. Penetrex™ was specifically designed to reduce inflammation and does so by taking advantage of well known elements Arnica, Choline, Pyridoxine / Vitamin B6, MSM, Cetyl Myristoleate & Boswellia Serrata. Researched, formulated and introduced recently by a renowned Pharmaceutical Biochemist, Penetrex has proven to be extremely successful in treating inflammation related ailments such as epicondylitis, tendonitis, bursitis,etc.

Even after you feel you have overcome a case of Epicondylitis, be sure to continue babying your arm. Always warm up your arm for 5 to 10 minutes before starting any activity involving your elbow. And if you develop severe pain after use anyway, pack your arm in ice for 15 to 20 minutes and call your doctor.

Featured Patient Profiles - June, 2009

Golfer's Elbow Patient
"...Hi! I just wanted to say what great stuff this Penetrex is. I have had tendinitis problems over 10 years in shoulders and elbows and have ultimately undergone surgery on each. Much to my disdain, I began having golfer's elbow pain in both elbows many months ago, but have been hesitant to see my orthopedist on this as he just operated on my 2nd tennis elbow less than 6 months ago.

I read about the Penetrex by researching golfer's elbow on the Internet, and decided to order some because of the guarantee, but more so because of the many testimonials I read.

I have only been using it a week, but it helps tremendously already. I work on a computer all day at work, and by applying the Penetrex 3 times a day, I have a lot less pain. I hope it will diminish even more with my continued use of it.

Thanks so much for this wonderful aid. And the fact that it's odor is so minimal and disappears quickly is a real plus in my book, when compared to Ben Gay or Flex All.

Thanks again!..."

Nancy K.
Potomac, Maryland

Golfer's Elbow Patient
"...I had suffered with what I later came to learn was golfers elbow, (pain in the inside area of my elbow). I suffered with this pain for many months, (probably from over exercising with weights that were too heavy).

I visited an orthopedist who did not have much helpful advice for me. I stopped all exercise for months with no relief from the pain. Then as I was researching golfers elbow on the internet, I accidentally came across your website, read all the nice comments from people who had used your product, and since you had a money back guarantee, decided to try it.

My husband and friends laughed at my gullibility but I'm the one who's laughing now. Within two-three weeks my pain was miraculously gone. I began exercising again, increasing the weights slowly. I have had no pain since that time. I have used the cream on other areas and have had equal success. I just want to thank you for a very fine product and wish you much success with it..."

Cathleen W.
Cumming, Georgia

Golfer's Elbow Patient
"...I just had to write and say Thank You for such a great product as Penetrex. For years I didn't know why my elbows hurt and ached like they did. I finally asked the doctor and as usual was put on prednisone which is great for the time you're taking it. But as predicted the pain came back.

The doctor sent me to physical therapy and that is where I was actually diagnosed with golfer's elbow (the doctor had said it was bursitis even after x-rays). While doing my exercises I wanted to find out more info on golfer's elbow and ran across your website. I ordered the Penetrex and much to my surprise it worked.

Using this along with my physical therapy has reduced the pain by 85%. I am now done with physical therapy and I'm wearing some braces to rest my elbows while I try to totally recoup (surgery is not one of favorite things to do) and strengthen the muscles & tendons.

I know the cause of my condition is a number of things 1) I'm a candlemaker by trade 2) I use computers a lot 3) muscles not in shape (just because you're not fat doesn't mean you're in shape.) 4) I'm an avid gardener. All these activities put too much strain on muscles and tendons.

I now use Penetrex and do some tissue massage then I do 20 minutes in the morning of all over body stretching. I also stretch the elbows before I work and try to limit the activity to 20 min. and I'll stop to stretch. I couldn't have done it without your product. The thought of me not being able to make my candles or do gardening had me in tears one night.

It has also worked on a hip problem I've had from lack of motion. Thanks to you (and my proper diagnosis from the physical therapist) I can ride on my husband's motorcycle. We may actually go buy a new GoldWing so we can go interstate on the bike.

Thanks again. My physical therapist was going to order your product from my recommendation. There will always be a jar of Penetrex in my cabinet simply because it works..."

Suzanne L.
Provo, Utah

What Is Golfers Elbow?