Fields of treatment / Orthopedy / Javelin thrower’s (golfer’s) elbow
Javelin thrower’s (golfer’s) elbow
Javelin thrower’s elbow, sometimes called golfer’s elbow, is a condition that causes pain where the tendons of your elbow attach to the inside of the elbow joint, on its medial side. This is the site where the forearm and wrist flexors are attached, and they can be torn as a result of an untypical motion (for instance, when one tries to rip out some grass). This may lead to acute ulnar epicondylitis. It may also be chronic condition, caused by excess stress on the elbow, which is how the condition typically develops in athletes.
Symptoms and treatment
Golfer’s elbow is characterized by pain in fingers and wrist. The pain is felt when one bends their fingers or rotates the inner side of the wrist. The patients feel weakness of muscles in the wrist and their grip is worsened. Ulnar compression of the elbow may also occur. Besides pain in the elbow, patients often report tingling and pain that radiates into the 4th and 5th digit.
The condition is managed conservatively in its acute stage. The management involves reducing excess stress on the affected limb on the part of the patient. Also, the affected limb may be immobilized in a long arm cast for 4 to 6 weeks. Treatment of chronic stage of the condition may involve medication. To help relieve pain, local or oral application of antirheumatic non-steroidal drugs is recommended. Corticosteroid injections (cortisone, trimecaine) should also be considered. Electric therapy is a popular option as well. If the signs and symptoms do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery might be an option.
