Conditions · Elbow
Golfer’s elbow: inner-elbow pain that follows the grip.
Medial epicondylitis — better known as golfer’s elbow — is irritation of the forearm flexor tendons where they attach to the inside of the elbow. Despite the name, most people who develop it have never swung a golf club.
Overview
What it is.
The flexor-pronator muscles of the forearm anchor to a small bony point on the inner elbow, the medial epicondyle. Repeated forceful gripping, wrist flexion, and forearm rotation can load that tendon attachment beyond its capacity, and the tissue responds with irritation that can progress over time. It is the inner-elbow counterpart to tennis elbow — and far less common.
Common mechanisms
How it develops.
- Repetitive forceful gripping — golf, racquet sports, climbing, weightlifting
- Sudden workload spikes: new equipment, heavier training, a burst of manual projects
- Technique factors — an early wrist release in the swing, heavy topspin mechanics
- Manual work with sustained forearm rotation — tools, assembly, painting
Symptoms
What people usually notice.
- Ache or sharp pain on the inner elbow, sometimes radiating down the forearm
- Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or wrist flexion against resistance
- Morning stiffness that eases as the day warms up
- Weakened grip — jars, door handles, and handshakes become telling
- Tenderness directly over the inner elbow’s bony point
Inner-elbow pain can also come from the ulnar nerve or the elbow’s ligaments — which is why the examination matters more than the label.
Evaluation
How Dr. Goldwaser evaluates it.
- A demand history — sport, technique, equipment, and workload
- Examination that separates the flexor-pronator tendon from the ulnar nerve and medial ligaments
- Dynamic ultrasound to watch the tendon move in real time; X-ray when the bony anatomy needs assessment
- Any prior MRI reviewed against what the examination finds — not instead of it
- The visit ends with a written plan covering activity, rehabilitation, and procedure options when they fit
Care options
Care through the practice.
- Activity modification and load management matched to the tendon’s tolerance
- Progressive loading and rehabilitation with clear milestones
- Ultrasound-guided injections for selected cases
- Orthobiologic procedures for tendon conditions that qualify
- Shockwave therapy for persistent tendon pain
- Bracing and technique adjustments during the recovery window
If your case needs care outside the practice — including surgical care — Dr. Goldwaser will refer you to the right specialist.
Recovery
The plan continues after the visit.
Tendon recovery is a loading story, not a resting story. You leave with written aftercare, activity limits, and milestone-based criteria for returning to the grip-heavy activities that matter to you.
Recovery strategies
Step-by-step recovery protocols for procedures such as PRP, Lipogems, barbotage, and tendon fenestration are currently in Dr. Goldwaser’s clinical review and are not yet published. Preview the protocol catalog →
In clinical review
Have a question about golfer’s elbow?
Send it through the practice contact form — the right team will respond. Please don’t include symptoms, diagnoses, test results, or other clinical information.
For education only — not medical advice. This page does not diagnose a condition or recommend a treatment.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is it the same as tennis elbow?
They are counterparts on opposite sides of the elbow: tennis elbow affects the outer-elbow extensors, golfer’s elbow the inner-elbow flexors. The examination differs, so the distinction matters.
Do I have to stop my sport completely?
Not always. The evaluation identifies which loads the tendon can tolerate, and the plan keeps you as active as safely possible — activity is modified, not necessarily eliminated.
How is it different from an ulnar nerve problem?
Ulnar nerve symptoms usually include numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers; tendon pain is localized and worsens with gripping. The exam and ultrasound sort out which structure is at fault.