Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)

Overview

• Overuse injury by repetitive stress to the common flexor tendon at its origin - the medial epicondyle of the humerus

• Most often occurs in individuals who engage in repeated wrist flexion, forearm pronation, or gripping tasks

• Primary complaint is medial elbow pain

• Involves tendinosis (degeneration) of the tendon

Symptoms

• Pain over the medial elbow, especially at or just distal to the medial epicondyle

• Pain is worse with gripping, lifting, and wrist flexion

• Tenderness to palpation

• Pain reproduced with: 

  • Resisted wrist flexion

  • Resisted forearm pronation

  • Resisted wrist extension

Quiz Questions

1. What is medial epicondylitis commonly caused by?

A. Ligament tear at the medial elbowf

B. Overuse of the common extensor tendon

C. Compression of the radial nerve

D . Overuse of the common flexor tendon

2. Which tendon group is primarily affected in medial epicondylitis?

A. Extensor tendons of the wrist

B. Common flexor tendons of the forearm

C. Biceps tendon

D. Rotator cuff tendons

4. What two muscles are most commonly involved?

A. Extensor carpi radialis and supinator

B. Flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres

C. Brachialis and triceps

D. Flexor digitorum profundus and anconeus

5. Which activity is most likely to contribute to developing medial epicondylitis?

A. Reaching overhead

B. Wrist extension during typing

C. Repetitive wrist flexion or gripping

D. Finger abduction against resistance

6. What is the underlying pathology of medial epicondylitis?

A. Acute inflammation of muscle tissue

B. Tendinosis with microscopic tendon degeneration

C. Nerve compression causing motor loss

D. Ligament sprain and synovitis

7. Pain is most commonly reproduced with:

A. Resisted wrist flexion and forearm pronation elbow extension

B. Resisted elbow extension

C. Passive shoulder internal rotation

D. Passive wrist extension