What is it?
Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, just above the "funny
bone." An inflamed ulnar nerve can cause numbness and tingling down the
forearm to the fingers.
So what is tennis elbow?
A similar injury but on the outer portion of the elbow. Studies show golfers
acquire tennis elbow 10-to-1 over golfer's elbow.
How do you treat it?
Start with over-the-counter, nonsteroidal painkillers. Ice after a round will
help reduce inflammation. Physical therapy and cortisone injections are
options. Last, surgery can be performed with "fair" results,
requiring two or three months of recovery. "It is actually fairly
difficult to treat because people usually want it cured much faster than is
possible," says Dr. Bill Mallon, an orthopedic surgeon and former PGA Tour
player.
How can you prevent it?
Standard forearm and wrist strengthening exercises can help, but because no one
knows for sure what causes it, prevention is difficult. "Overuse is a
possibility," Mallon says, "perhaps in golfers hitting a lot of
balls, but nobody is certain." By Ron Kaspriske
Golf Digest www.GolfDigest.com
December 2005
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