What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylalgia or medial elbow tendinopathy, is pain and stiffness on the inner side of your elbow where the wrist flexor tendons attach to the bone. It commonly affects golfers, racquet-sport players, manual workers and gym users who perform repeated gripping or lifting tasks.

This page explains golfer’s elbow treatment options that physiotherapists commonly use in Brisbane and across Australia. If you have broader elbow pain, your assessment may also consider nearby joints, tendons and nerves.

Rather than a simple inflammation, research suggests golfer’s elbow is usually a tendon overload problem. The tendon becomes sensitive and less tolerant to load over time. Effective treatment aims to calm pain, then gradually rebuild tendon strength and control so you can return to sport, work and daily life with confidence.

Your physiotherapist will consider not only the elbow, but also your neck, shoulder, wrist and nerve function. This approach helps identify contributing factors that may prolong symptoms.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

Golfer’s elbow usually causes pain at the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. It often worsens with gripping, lifting, wrist flexion, golf swings, racquet sports or repeated hand use.

• Localised ache or sharp pain at the bony bump on the inside of the elbow.
• Pain with gripping, lifting, forehand strokes or carrying shopping.
• Discomfort when you flex your wrist or fingers against resistance.
• Tightness or fatigue through the inner forearm muscles.
• Reduced grip strength compared with the other side.
• Occasionally, referred pain or tingling into the forearm or hand.

Some people notice morning stiffness or pain when lifting a kettle or turning a door handle. If symptoms extend above the elbow, your physiotherapist may also assess for arm pain or nerve irritation from the neck.

What Causes Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow usually develops when the load on the medial elbow tendons exceeds their current capacity. Repeated gripping, swinging, lifting or throwing can irritate the tendon where it attaches to the inner elbow. Over time, tendon changes can reduce its ability to handle force.

Common contributing factors include sudden increases in golf practice, racquet sports or gym training, repetitive gripping, technique changes, reduced forearm strength, shoulder control issues, and neck or nerve sensitivity.

Medial elbow tendinopathy is related to other tendon overload conditions described in our tendinopathy information pages. Addressing load, posture, strength and muscle control can support longer-term recovery.

How Is Golfer’s Elbow Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist or doctor can usually diagnose golfer’s elbow based on your history and a clinical examination. They may palpate the medial epicondyle, test grip strength, assess resisted wrist and finger flexion, and screen your neck, shoulder and nerve mobility.

Imaging is not always required. Ultrasound or MRI may help in persistent or unclear cases to assess tendon quality and exclude other pathology. X-rays have limited value for tendon diagnosis but may be useful after trauma or if arthritis is suspected.

Physiotherapy Treatment Options for Golfer’s Elbow

Most people improve with a structured physiotherapy program. Treatment focuses on reducing pain, then safely restoring tendon load tolerance, strength and movement patterns. Your plan should match your sport, work and goals.

• Education and load management: adjusting gripping, lifting and sport volume while keeping you as active as possible.
• Manual therapy: gentle joint mobilisation, soft tissue techniques and nerve glides where appropriate.
• Exercise therapy: progressive strengthening of the wrist flexors, forearm, shoulder and grip using a staged plan.
• Taping or bracing: temporary support during higher-load tasks.
• Movement coaching: technique review for golf, racquet sports, gym or work tasks.
• Pain relief strategies: short-term use of ice, heat or medication as advised by your doctor.

Your physiotherapist may update your program as the tendon adapts. Our soft tissue injury healing guide explains why gradual loading matters for tendon health.

Should You Wear a Golfer’s Elbow Brace?

A golfer’s elbow brace, often similar to a tennis elbow strap, may help offload the tendon during gripping or lifting tasks. By applying pressure slightly below the painful area, the brace can redistribute force away from the irritated tendon attachment.

Some people find a brace helpful for golf, work or gym activities, especially in the early stages of rehab. However, a brace usually works best when combined with targeted strengthening and movement retraining.

How Long Does Golfer’s Elbow Take to Heal?

Recovery time varies with tendon health, symptom duration and how well you can modify load. Mild cases addressed early may settle within 6 to 12 weeks. Longer-standing or more irritable tendons can take several months to improve.

Most people progress through pain reduction, light strengthening, heavier tendon loading, then sport-specific or work-specific tasks. Infrequently, surgical options may be discussed with an orthopaedic surgeon for persistent, severe cases that do not respond to structured rehabilitation.

When Should You See a Physiotherapist?

Seek assessment with a physiotherapist or doctor if elbow pain lasts more than two to three weeks, limits sport or work, causes weakness or tingling, spreads into the hand, follows trauma, or stops you from fully moving the elbow.

For general information about medial epicondylitis, you can also read the overview on Medial Epicondylitis Overview.

Related Articles

1. Tennis Elbow – outer elbow tendon pain that often behaves similarly to golfer’s elbow.
2. Elbow Pain – common elbow injuries and when to seek treatment.
3. Repetitive Strain Injury – wrist and forearm overload information.
4. Tendinopathy – tendon overload, pain and rehabilitation principles.
5. Soft Tissue Injury Healing – how tendons and soft tissues repair over time.
6. Exercise Library – helpful rehabilitation exercise guidance.
7. Tennis Elbow Strap Guide – guidance on choosing and using an elbow strap.

References

1. Konarski W, et al. Current concepts of natural course and management of medial epicondylitis: a clinical overview. Orthopedic Reviews. 2023.
2. DeLuca MK, et al. Medial epicondylitis: current diagnosis and treatment options. Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research. 2023.
3. Adani N, et al. Non-traumatic medial-sided elbow pain: a comprehensive review of etiologies, diagnostic strategies, and treatment approaches. Cureus. 2025.
4. Meredith TJ, et al. Diagnosis and management of common tendinopathies. American Family Physician. 2025.
5. Shim J, et al. Patient ratings in exercise therapy for tendinopathy: a review. Physiotherapy. 2023.