Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) is a condition in which the bony bump at the inside of the elbow is painful and tender. The elbow joint is made up of the humerus bone in the upper arm and the ulna in the lower arm. The bony bumps at the bottom of the humerus are called epicondyles. Overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and elbow are the most common reason people develop medial epicondylitis. Repeating some types of activities over and over again can put too much strain on the elbow tendons. Shoveling, hammering and gardening can all cause golfer’s elbow. In some cases, the symptoms of medial epicondylitis are due to inflammation.
The main symptoms of medial epicondylitis are tenderness and pain at the medial epicondyle of the elbow. Pain usually starts at the medial epicondyle and may spread down the forearm. Bending your wrist, twisting your forearm down or grasping objects can make the pain worse. You may feel less strength when grasping items or squeezing your hand into a fist.
Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may order x-rays in order to properly diagnose medial epicondylitis.