In short
Golfer's elbow is pain where the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of the elbow. It comes from repeated gripping, lifting or wrist bending, and most people who get it do not play golf. It is less common than tennis elbow, which affects the outer side. Treatment is easing the load, then a progressive strengthening program. Steroid injections are no longer recommended in most cases because results are worse in the longer term.
On this page
What is golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow is an overuse injury of the tendons on the inner side of the elbow. The muscles on the front of the forearm, which bend the wrist and fingers and turn the palm down, are anchored to a bony bump on the inside of the elbow called the medial epicondyle. Pain at that point is called medial epicondylitis.1,2
Repeated strain leads to wear in the tendon where it attaches to the bone.2 Despite the name, it can follow a wide range of activities, at work as well as in sport.1
Symptoms
- Persistent pain on the inner side of the elbow that is made worse by everyday activities2
- Pain when making a fist or gripping1
- A dull ache at rest1
- In throwing sports, pain as the arm is cocked back and starts to come forward2
Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers is not part of golfer's elbow. It suggests the ulnar nerve, which runs past the same part of the elbow, is being irritated.3
Pain that keeps coming back?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Golfer's elbow or tennis elbow?
| Golfer's elbow | Tennis elbow | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Inner side of the elbow1 | Outer side of the elbow1 |
| Muscles involved | Those that bend the wrist forwards1 | Those that pull the wrist back1 |
| Typical trigger | Making a fist, gripping1 | Opening the fingers1 |
| How common | About 0.4 per cent of adults4 | About 1.3 per cent of adults4 |
See our guide to tennis elbow for the outer-side version.
Who gets it?
In a Finnish study of 4,783 adults aged 30 to 64, golfer's elbow was most common between the ages of 45 and 54, and it affected men and women equally. Four things were each linked to it:4
- Repetitive arm movements
- Forceful activities
- Smoking
- Obesity
Poor technique and unsuitable equipment add to the load in sport, for example a club or racquet with the wrong sized grip.1
Treatment
Golfer's elbow has been studied far less than tennis elbow, so treatment borrows heavily from what is known about tendon problems in general.5
Ease the load
- Rest from the activity that brought it on, and apply ice often in the early days.1
- Change or avoid tasks that involve forceful, repeated gripping or awkward wrist positions, and build in breaks.1
- Taping or a brace around the forearm can help some people.1
- Anti-inflammatory medicines can be used for short-term relief.2
Strengthen the tendon
Once the pain has eased, the focus moves to rebuilding the forearm muscles and preventing a repeat.2 A physiotherapist can prescribe exercises that strengthen the tendon gradually.1
A 2026 review found five studies, with 143 patients in total, of exercises that load the forearm muscles as they lengthen. Pain and function improved in all of them, though the studies were small and too varied to combine.5
Injections
Steroid injections were once routine. A review of 41 trials of injections for tendon problems found they reduced pain in the short term, but that the benefit reversed later, with worse results at 6 and 12 months.6 Australian guidance now says they are no longer recommended in most cases.1
Surgery
Surgery is kept for severe cases where pain has not settled after about 12 months of other treatment.1,2
How long does it last?
Recovery is gradual and varies from person to person. See a doctor or physiotherapist if it is not improving, or if it keeps coming back.1
When to see a doctor
- Elbow pain that is not improving with rest and self-care, or that keeps returning1
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand or fingers3
- An elbow that is hot, red and swollen
- Pain after a fall or a blow to the elbow
- You cannot straighten or bend the elbow
See also elbow pain and tendonitis.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Elbow pain.
- Amin NH, Kumar NS, Schickendantz MS. Medial epicondylitis: evaluation and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(6):348-55.
- healthdirect. Ulnar nerve entrapment.
- Shiri R, Viikari-Juntura E, Varonen H, et al. Prevalence and determinants of lateral and medial epicondylitis: a population study. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;164(11):1065-74.
- See ZH, Loo CE, Jaafar Z. Eccentric exercise therapy for medial epicondylitis: A systematic review of clinical outcomes. Complement Ther Med. 2026;98:103364.
- Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2010;376(9754):1751-67.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.