Inner Elbow Pain and Weakened Grip?
Golfer’s Elbow — There’s a problem with the tendons that flex your wrist.
You don’t have to play golf to get it. Lifting heavy objects or repetitive inward twisting motions cause microscopic damage to accumulate in the inner elbow tendons.
3 Key Points You’ll Learn
- Difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
- Why inner elbow pain causes weakened grip
- Fundamental treatment methods
These Symptoms Suggest Golfer’s Elbow
- Medial epicondyle tenderness — Sharp pain when pressed on inner elbow.
- Pain when flexing wrist — Hurts when making a fist or applying inward wrist force.
- Worsens with heavy lifting — Shopping bags, briefcases, carrying children, etc.
- Pain during handshakes — Inner elbow pulls when gripping firmly.
- Associated finger numbness — 4th-5th fingers (pinky side) may feel numb.
Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Location: Outer elbow
- Motion: Pain when extending wrist backward
- Activities: Mouse use, gripping, twisting
- Prevalence: More common (about 10x)
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
- Location: Inner elbow
- Motion: Pain when flexing wrist inward
- Activities: Heavy lifting, throwing, swinging
- Feature: May involve ulnar nerve symptoms
Why Does Golfer’s Elbow Occur?
The medical term is Medial Epicondylitis. Problems develop where the flexor muscle tendons (that bend the wrist inward) attach to the medial epicondyle (inner elbow bone).
Activities That Trigger Golfer’s Elbow
- Golf, baseball pitching, javelin throwing
- Repetitive heavy lifting
- Climbing, rock climbing
- Hammering, using screwdrivers
- Cooking (large pots, pans)
- Lifting and carrying children
Note: The ulnar nerve (responsible for pinky-side numbness) passes through the inner elbow. Golfer’s elbow often coexists with ulnar nerve issues, requiring accurate differentiation.
Our Approach at Yonsei Shinmyung
Golfer’s elbow treatment focuses on tendon tissue regeneration and correcting arm usage patterns. If ulnar nerve issues coexist, we treat both simultaneously.
- Stage 1: Downshift (Circulation HD)
Hydrodissection releases adhesions around tendons and improves blood flow. If ulnar nerve compression exists, we also release the nerve pathway. - Stage 2: Activate (Circulation PT)
Progressive strengthening of weakened wrist flexors. Eccentric exercises are particularly effective. - Stage 3: Integrate
Correction of lifting techniques, swing form, throwing motions, and other patterns that stress the elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow Self-Care
Immediate Actions
- Reduce painful motions (use less, not complete rest)
- Ice application (2-3 times daily, 15 minutes)
- Lift objects with palms facing up
- Distribute weight between both hands
Eccentric Exercise (Recovery Phase)
- Hold dumbbell (1-2kg) and flex wrist inward
- Use opposite hand to slowly extend wrist
- Take 3 seconds for the motion
- 3 sets × 15 repetitions daily
If finger numbness is severe or grip is significantly weakened, it may be an ulnar nerve problem. Seek medical evaluation.
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Want to Resolve Inner Elbow Pain Without Recurrence?
Fundamental treatment through tendon regeneration and usage pattern correction.
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