Golfer’s elbow also known as medial epicondylitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the medial forearm compartment between the distal humerous and proximal ulna. Pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, and flexor carpi ulnaris make up the possibly inflamed musculature. These muscles work together to produce primary wrist flexion.

This condition is seen with patients who repetitively stress the medial elbow. Activities such as golf, racquet sports, and throwing activities can lead to golfer’s elbow.  While playing these types of sports it is important to warm up the elbow. When the proper pre-game stretches are not carried out, the muscles are responsible for conducting these mechanics at a tighten state. This further enables our ability to inflame the medial elbow tendons. Tendon injuries such as golfer’s elbow have aspects of constant overuse and present as chronic in nature. This damages the blood supply that innervates the medial elbow. This could lead to small tears and inflammation that proliferates scar tissue formation.

Conservative Care

There are a plethora of medical interventions to treat golfer’s elbow. Resting the elbow is a common recommendation that provides time for the tendon inflammation to heal.  Recommendations to decrease the pain and inflammation such as ice, over the counter pain relievers, bracing, and soft tissue therapies are also options.  If these interventions do not provide relief, injection based medicine may be recommended to decrease the inflammation.

In situations where pain becomes chronic, regenerative medicine may be recommended. Stem cell therapy, Platelet rich plasma, and prolotherapy are non-surgical orthopedic routes often orchestrated to supplement patient care.

Stem Cell

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a treatment that uses the patients’ tissue to regenerate the healing process.  They are derived from bone and adipose tissue that can develop into bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat.  Once the stem cells are extracted and injected into the area of complaint, the healing process begins. Patients are then recommended 4-6 weeks of chiropractic and physical therapy to return patients back to normal activity.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Golfer’s Elbow, or have any questions on the treatments we provide, please feel free to contact one of our patient care coordinators at 908-754-1960 or you may contact us online.