Golfer's Elbow
Medial epicondylitis, more commonly referred to as golf elbow, is a painful condition involving the area on the inside of your elbow where the muscles meet that inner bony point. It's similar to tennis elbow, though tennis elbow involves the outer point and connecting muscles. The pain may radiate down your forearm and into your wrist and hands.
While medial epicondylitis is often referred to as golf elbow, anyone who repeatedly uses their wrist or clenches their fingers can develop this condition. Since the location for these muscles is on the inside of the arm, traumatic injury is less common. Your Midtown Manhattan sports medicine and pain management team can help you pinpoint the source of your pain and recommend the most effective golf elbow treatment options.
Golfer's Elbow NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Same-day golfer's elbow appointments available.
Symptoms of Golf Elbow
The symptoms that often call for treatment of medial epicondylitis vary between individuals. The treatment depends on the cause and length of time you've been doing the repetitive movement. Medial epicondylitis symptoms often include:
What Causes Golfer's Elbow?
Different activities contribute to or worsen the pain of the golf elbow. If you're experiencing pain, it may arise from repeated motions involving jobs, hobbies, sports and even mundane activities like eating. Commonly, your doctor sees instances of the condition that result from:
Swinging a golf club or racquet
Squeezing a ball or pitching
Other throwing sports such as football, archery, javelin or bowling
Shaking hands
Turning a doorknob
Lifting weights
Picking up something with your palm down
Repeatedly flexing your wrist
Raking or shoveling
Hammering
Chopping wood
Assembly-line work
Computer work
Cooking
Using a screwdriver
Painting
Visited for sports-related injuries/pain - the services were very professional, and the office is sleek and inviting. Took the time to fully understand what was going on instead of rushing to a determination.
Marcos Carvalho
When to Seek Golfer's Elbow Treatment in Manhattan, NY
Many cases of golf elbow resolve on their own.
In determining the correct treatment for golf elbow, your sports and pain specialist takes a detailed medical history, checks your range of motion and looks for signs of swelling, bruising or compromised nerves. Occasionally, electromyography or nerve-testing is done to rule out other issues before you begin golf elbow treatment.
How is Golfer's Elbow Treated?
Your Manhattan sports medicine doctor devises a treatment for medial epicondylitis that's customized to your lifestyle and needs. It begins conservatively and may include:
Rest
Eliminating aggravating activities for a while
Ice for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours in the first few days
Heat following the same schedule after the first few days
Elastic bandage, brace or splint to reduce the load on your elbows
Over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium
Prescription pain relievers for a short period of time
Physical or occupational therapy to include stretching and strengthening exercises for the affected areas
Corticosteroid injection to relieve pain, although these must be used sparingly to avoid tendon rupture
For the severest cases, medial epicondylitis treatment may require surgery to repair tendons or ligaments
What Is Recovery After Golfer's Elbow?
It's always preferable to work to prevent injury, either from the beginning or to protect against recurrence after golf elbow treatment. Good posture and healthy technique keep your body well-balanced. Self-care techniques include:
- Work to strengthen your forearms to protect the pointy soft tissue that connects to your bone.
- Stretch carefully and warm up before any activity that may aggravate or potentially injure your elbow.
- Pay attention to form when doing repetitive motions
- Take frequent breaks and do stretching exercises in between.
- Use the correct equipment for the task you're working to accomplish.
- Know proper techniques for lifting small or large loads.
- Listen to your body and know when to rest.
Your elbow pain may be a factor in your life for some time. These injuries do not heal quickly and some individuals fight pain either intermittently or chronically for several months or longer. Early detection and activity modification give you the best chance for a satisfactory outcome. Follow your doctor's treatment for golf elbow carefully. Open and honest communication with your pain specialist encourages a more rapid recovery time.
Ready to find relief from golfer's elbow?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Golfer's Elbow Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to golfer's elbow is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Golfer's Elbow Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."