Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s or Baseball Elbow)
Medial epicondylitis, also called golfer’s elbow or baseball elbow, is a painful overuse injury that usually develops over time but may also be caused by a fall, an automobile accident, or a work injury.
The condition is often seen in golfers and baseball players, hence the name. It also affects individuals who perform repetitive forearm motions such as typing, carpentry, painting, shoveling and raking. It is similar to tennis elbow, but affects the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inside of the elbow, rather than the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow.
The main symptoms of medial epicondylitis include:
- Sudden or gradual elbow pain
- Pain on the inside of the elbow, hand or wrist
- Elbow stiffness
- Elbow or wrist weakness, particularly when gripping objects
If you think you may have golfer’s elbow, schedule an evaluation with an upper extremity subspecialist at Lancaster Orthopedic Group who will examine the elbow and help determine the cause of your pain.
Conservative treatment options include ice, anti-inflammatory medications and/or steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling, application of a splint or brace to take the strain off the tendon, and resting the elbow to promote healing and prevent the condition from becoming chronic. If conservative treatment fails to alleviate the symptoms, surgery for the medial epicondylitis may be recommended.
