Condition guide
Golfer's Elbow: Pain on the Inside of the Elbow
Golfer's elbow is pain on the inner side of the elbow, felt when gripping, lifting a kettle, carrying shopping or holding a club or racquet. Most people who get it have never played golf. It is a tendon problem, it is usually stubborn rather than serious, and it responds to the right kind of loading rather than to rest alone. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If anything here matches your symptoms, an assessment is the sensible next step.
What is Golfer's Elbow?
The tendons of the forearm muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach to a bony point on the inside of the elbow. When demand on those tendons outstrips their capacity, the attachment becomes painful and sensitive to grip and load. The medical term is medial epicondylalgia. Tennis elbow is the same problem on the outer side.
Typical Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness on the inner bony point of the elbow
- Pain when gripping, twisting a lid, using a screwdriver or carrying bags
- Weakness of grip, often noticed before pain becomes constant
- Discomfort spreading down the inner forearm
- Stiffness in the morning that eases with gentle movement
Common Causes & Triggers
- Repetitive gripping at work, common in trades, healthcare and manual roles
- A rapid increase in racquet, club, climbing or gym volume
- Heavy pulling or carrying without gradual build-up
- Poor technique or equipment that increases forearm demand
- Neck or shoulder problems altering how the arm is used
How We Treat Golfer's Elbow at Bluebell
- 1
Assessment to confirm the tendon is the source and to screen the neck and shoulder for referred pain.
- 2
A graded tendon loading programme, which is the best supported treatment for this problem.
- 3
Grip and technique modification so you can keep working while it settles.
- 4
Manual therapy and adjuncts such as shockwave where clinically indicated for stubborn cases.
- 5
Progression back to full grip demands with clear criteria rather than guesswork.
Honest Recovery Timeline
Tendons change slowly. Meaningful improvement usually takes six to twelve weeks of consistent loading, and longstanding cases can take longer. Being upfront: people who do the exercises consistently do far better than people who rely on passive treatment.
When Golfer's Elbow Needs Urgent Medical Attention (Not Physio)
- •Elbow pain after a fall or direct trauma with swelling, deformity or inability to move the joint, go to A and E.
- •A hot, swollen elbow with fever or feeling unwell, urgent medical review.
- •Numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the hand, get this assessed as it may involve a nerve.
Golfer's Elbow — Common Questions
How is this different from tennis elbow?
Same type of problem, different side. Golfer's elbow affects the inner elbow and hurts on gripping and wrist bending, tennis elbow affects the outer elbow.
Should I stop using the arm?
Complete rest usually leaves the tendon weaker and the problem returns when you go back. We reduce the aggravating load and add controlled loading instead.
Do elbow straps work?
Some people find a strap eases symptoms enough to keep working. It manages symptoms rather than treating the cause.
Is shockwave useful for this?
It can be a helpful addition in stubborn tendon cases alongside loading. It is not a standalone fix, and we will only suggest it if your presentation fits.
Will it come back?
Less likely if you finish the loading programme rather than stopping when pain goes, because pain settles before capacity is restored.