Disclaimer: General educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified health professional. © 2026 Better Physiotherapy Bundoora.
Golfer's elbow — medial epicondylalgia — causes pain on the inside of the elbow with gripping, wrist flexion, and forearm rotation. Like its counterpart tennis elbow, it is an overuse tendinopathy driven by repetitive load on the flexor-pronator tendons. And like tennis elbow, rest alone doesn't fix it — progressive loading physiotherapy does.
Anatomy of Golfer's Elbow
The flexor-pronator muscles of the forearm (wrist flexors, finger flexors, and pronator teres) attach to the medial epicondyle — the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow. Repetitive or sudden overload of these tendons leads to degenerative changes within the tendon tissue, producing pain that is precisely localised to the medial epicondyle and may radiate into the forearm.
Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness directly over the medial epicondyle (inside of the elbow)
- Pain with gripping and forearm rotation
- Pain with wrist flexion against resistance
- Weakness in grip strength
- Stiffness in the morning that eases with activity
- Possible tingling into the ring and little fingers (ulnar nerve involvement)
Common Causes
- Repetitive gripping and forearm rotation in trades work: plumbing, carpentry, construction
- Weightlifting: chin-ups, deadlifts, and rows with supinated grip
- Throwing sports: cricket, baseball, softball
- Golf (particularly a faulty swing technique)
- Racquet sports: tennis serve, badminton
- Excessive typing or computer mouse use
Physiotherapy Treatment
- Isometric wrist flexion loading: Pain-free isometric contractions immediately reduce tendon pain and are used in the acute phase
- Progressive isotonic loading: Wrist flexion and pronation resistance exercises with progressive load — the primary treatment for tendon repair
- Cervical spine assessment: The medial epicondyle receives nerve supply from C6–C8; cervical spine referral can contribute to medial elbow pain
- Manual therapy: Elbow joint mobilisation and soft tissue treatment of the flexor-pronator mass
- Dry needling: Targeting trigger points within the flexor-pronator muscles and stimulating a local healing response in the tendon
- Activity modification: Identifying and temporarily reducing the specific activities loading the tendon, then progressively reintroducing them
Frequently Asked Questions
I've never played golf. Can I still have golfer's elbow?
Yes — the name is misleading. Golfer's elbow is caused by any repetitive wrist flexion and gripping: trades work (carpentry, plumbing), weightlifting, throwing sports, tennis (the serve), and occupational tasks. Most patients with medial epicondylalgia have never played golf.
Does golfer's elbow cause ulnar nerve symptoms?
Sometimes. The ulnar nerve passes close to the medial epicondyle and can become irritated in association with golfer's elbow, causing tingling into the ring and little fingers. Your physiotherapist will assess for cubital tunnel syndrome if you have nerve symptoms alongside medial elbow pain.
Should I avoid all gripping activities with golfer's elbow?
Not necessarily. Completely avoiding grip loads the tissue further rather than prompting healing. The goal is to manage load to a tolerable level and then progressively increase it. Your physiotherapist will advise on which activities to modify and by how much.
Is golfer's elbow treated the same way as tennis elbow?
The principles are the same — progressive tendon loading is the cornerstone of treatment for both. The specific exercises target different muscle groups (wrist flexors and pronators for golfer's elbow vs extensors for tennis elbow). Manual therapy approaches also differ based on which structures are involved.
Ashley Haleel
Physiotherapist & Owner — Better Physiotherapy Bundoora