What Is Golfer's Elbow? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment |…

You do not need to play golf to develop golfer's elbow. In fact, most people who get it have never held a club. From gym-goers lifting weights in Dubai to office workers typing all day and tradespeople gripping tools, this common cause of inner-elbow pain can quietly interfere with work, sport, and everyday tasks. Understanding what golfer's elbow is helps you treat it properly rather than pushing through and making it worse.

What Is Golfer's Elbow?

Golfer's elbow, known medically as medial epicondylitis, is pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to a bony bump called the medial epicondyle. Repeated stress on these tendons causes tiny areas of damage, leading to pain, tenderness, and sometimes weakness in the wrist and hand. It is the inner-elbow counterpart of tennis elbow, which affects the outer side. Whether it starts suddenly or builds over time, golfer's elbow can get in the way of sport, desk work, and daily life. Therapr helps you compare physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and massage practitioners who emphasise assessment and a plan you can actually follow, starting with the golfer's elbow overview.

Symptoms and Signs

The main symptom is pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, which may radiate down the inside of the forearm towards the wrist. The pain often worsens with certain movements, such as gripping, lifting, twisting the wrist, or shaking hands. Many people notice it flaring when they carry shopping bags, use tools, or perform gym exercises like pull-ups and rows.

Other signs include stiffness in the elbow, weakness in the hands and wrists, and occasionally tingling or numbness that can extend into the fingers. Symptoms can appear suddenly or, more often, build gradually over weeks. Because the discomfort overlaps with other conditions, it helps to distinguish it from tennis elbow and general elbow pain.

Common Causes and Triggers

Golfer's elbow is an overuse injury caused by repetitive or forceful use of the wrist and fingers. Activities that involve repeated gripping, flexing the wrist, or rotating the forearm are the usual culprits. Beyond golf, common triggers include weight training with poor technique, racquet sports, throwing, and manual work using screwdrivers, hammers, or similar tools. Prolonged computer and mouse use can also contribute.

In the Gulf, a strong gym and fitness culture means many cases stem from lifting technique or sudden increases in training load. Desk-bound roles with long hours of typing add repetitive strain, and the tendency to push hard in both work and workouts can turn a minor niggle into a persistent problem. Inadequate warm-up, weak forearm muscles, and not allowing tendons time to recover between sessions all raise the risk. These are often classed alongside other sports injuries.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Also known as	Medial epicondylitis
Typical group affected	Adults, athletes, manual workers, desk users
Common triggers	Gripping, lifting, racquet sports, repetitive wrist use
Typical duration	Weeks to months with proper care
Related specialities	Physiotherapy, osteopathy, massage, manual therapy
When to seek help	Inner-elbow pain that persists or worsens

How It Is Treated and Managed

Most cases of golfer's elbow improve with conservative treatment, and the key early step is to reduce the activities that trigger the pain so the tendon can begin to recover. Relative rest, ice, and simple pain relief help settle the initial flare, but complete inactivity is not the goal. Instead, a gradual, guided return to loading the tendon is what rebuilds its strength and resilience.

A physiotherapist is well placed to assess the elbow, identify contributing factors like technique or weakness, and prescribe a progressive programme of stretching and strengthening, often including eccentric exercises that are particularly effective for tendon problems. Hands-on care from an osteopath and massage or manual techniques can ease muscle tightness in the forearm, while advice on ergonomics and gym form helps prevent recurrence. Recovery takes patience, as tendons heal slowly, but a structured plan reliably restores function for most people.

Golfer's Elbow Care in the Gulf

Physiotherapy and manual therapy for elbow and forearm problems are widely available across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha. A physiotherapy session typically costs around 250 to 500 AED in the UAE, with similar SAR and QAR pricing regionally, and a short course is usually recommended. Practitioners are regulated by authorities such as the DHA, SCFHS, and MOPH, so confirming licensing is worthwhile. To compare local options, you can browse physiotherapy in Dubai.

When to See a Professional

Consider seeking help if inner-elbow pain persists for more than a couple of weeks, worsens despite rest, or is accompanied by significant weakness, numbness, or tingling in the hand. Early assessment helps confirm the diagnosis, address the underlying cause such as technique or overload, and start the right strengthening programme before the problem becomes chronic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to stop exercising completely?

Usually not. The aim is to reduce the movements that aggravate the tendon while gradually reintroducing controlled loading. A physiotherapist can help you keep training safely while the elbow recovers.

How long does golfer's elbow take to heal?

It varies, but many cases improve over several weeks to a few months with the right care. Tendons heal slowly, so consistency with a strengthening programme matters more than rushing back.

What is the difference between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow?

Golfer's elbow affects the inner side of the elbow, while tennis elbow affects the outer side. Both are overuse tendon problems and are managed with similar principles of load management and strengthening.

The Bottom Line

Golfer's elbow is a common overuse injury of the inner elbow that responds well to load management and progressive strengthening rather than rest alone. With guidance from a physiotherapist and attention to technique, most people recover fully and avoid recurrence. Therapr helps you find practitioners who assess thoroughly and set a realistic plan. Learn more on the golfer's elbow page.

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This article is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

What Is Golfer's Elbow? Symptoms, Causes and Treatment