Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment
Updated October 20261 minute read
Golfer's elbow is the inner-elbow version of tennis elbow — an overload of the tendons on the inside of the elbow, causing pain there with gripping, lifting, and wrist flexion. Like tennis elbow, it's an irritated tendon rather than damage, and progressive loading (strengthening) is the proven treatment, not rest. Most people improve over a few months without surgery.
What is golfer's elbow?
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylalgia/tendinopathy) is an overuse condition of the wrist-flexor tendons where they attach to the inner elbow.
Symptoms
Common features are pain and tenderness on the inner elbow, worse with gripping, lifting (especially palm-up), and wrist flexion, sometimes spreading down the inner forearm.
What causes it / risk factors
Repetitive gripping and wrist flexion (lifting, throwing, certain jobs and sports), a sudden increase in load, and under-conditioned forearm muscles contribute.
How it's diagnosed
Diagnosis is clinical from the inner-elbow location and aggravating tasks. Imaging is reserved for unclear cases.
Physical therapy treatment
What a PT does. Your therapist reduces aggravating load and progressively loads the tendon, with grip and forearm strengthening. Exercises & progression (overview). Progressive wrist-flexor and grip strengthening, load management, and graded return to activity. Recovery timeline. Often a few months with consistent loading.
Treatment options compared
Progressive loading is first-line. Bracing and activity changes help. Injections and surgery are rarely needed.
Red flags
Seek care for tingling into the ring and pinky fingers (possible nerve involvement nearby), a hot swollen elbow with fever, or significant injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Golfer's elbow is inner-elbow tendon pain; tennis elbow is outer-elbow tendon pain.
Sources (5)
- Amin NH, Kumar NS, Schickendantz MS. Medial epicondylitis: evaluation and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015. — PubMed
- Li D, Hammad A, Kaiser K. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow). StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf. — NIH/NCBI Bookshelf
- MedlinePlus: Elbow pain. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- See ZH, et al. Eccentric exercise therapy for medial epicondylitis: a systematic review of clinical outcomes. Complement Ther Med. 2026. — PubMed
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Therapeutic Exercise Program for Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow / Golfer's Elbow). — AAOS OrthoInfo
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.