Golf Elbow or Medial Epicondylitis

Pain or tenderness on the inside part of the elbow where the tendons of the flexor pronator muscle attaches to the humerus.

Golf elbow is caused not only by golf, but by other activities where the forearm is repeatedly turned inward and the wrist is flexed.

The chronic condition is normally caused by small tears in the tendon and muscle sheaths which may heal and then be damaged again by the same strain. This causes bleeding and the development of granules and calcium in the tissues. Collagen can leak out, cause inflammation and swelling which may lead to pressure reducing bloodflow and causing the radial nerve to be pinched.

The condition can last for years and will recur unless the activity causing the condition is modified.

Genesis Medical offers a shock wave therapy system which dramatically speeds healing for a majority of sufferers. This is the Orthospec shock wave system which delivers pulses of energy in the form of about 1500 sonic waves into the painful area over a period of about 10 minutes. Pain relief is usually immediate. On average two treatments are needed, the second treatment being 2 to 4 weeks after the first.