Golfer's elbow

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is an inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm that attach to the inside of the elbow (medial epicondyle). These are muscles that cause the wrist and fingers to fold.

Symptoms

You have pain on the inside of the elbow especially after work, sports and repetitive actions. Sometimes you feel numbness and tingling in the little and ring finger. If the inflammation progresses further, (micro) tears in the tendon can occur. Usually the inflammation is caused by local overuse. The symptoms can also arise after a trauma.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made at the consultation based on specific symptoms. Sometimes additional imaging (RX, ultrasound, MRI) will need to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment of golfer's elbow is always attempted first with local ice application, rest, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy. If necessary, a brace can help improve the pain symptoms. Because it is an overuse injury, adjustment of work or sports environment is important to heal and avoid relapses.

Injections

If there is insufficient recovery, a cortisone injection around the tendon can suppress local inflammation. The number of cortisone injections is limited to two or three times per year.

Often injections of cortisone are replaced with PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections. This involves taking a blood sample from the patient which is centrifuged at high speed, separating the plasma from the rest of the blood. That plasma contains many platelets and growth factors that can provide healing for the diseased tendon. The plasma is then injected into and around the inflamed tendon. Usually two PRP injections are given about two weeks apart. The success rate is around 50-70%.

The brochure below provides more information about treatment with PRP.

ESWT

Another possible treatment is ESWT (extra corporeal shock wave). This involves stimulating blood flow to the tendon through shock waves to promote healing.

Intervention

If the previous treatments do not help enough, surgery may be necessary. During this procedure, the diseased part of the tendon is removed and the tendon is anchored back to the bone. This can be done via day surgery. After the surgery, the elbow is sometimes immobilized for a short period of time. The healing process may take three to four months.‍

Departments

For more information, please visit the orthopaedics department.

Telephone 011 33 42 86