Causes of Inner Elbow Pain

What Causes Inner Elbow Pain When Lifting?

If the inside of your elbow hurts when lifting something, the problem is more likely your wrist. It happens due to using too much force to bend the wrist toward the palm. For example, when swinging a golf club or pitching a baseball. Other possible causes include:

• Serving with too much force in tennis or using a spin serve
• Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
• Using a tennis racket that is too tightly strung, too short, or too heavy
• Throwing a javelin
• Carrying a heavy suitcase
• Chopping wood with an ax
• Operating a chain saw
• Frequently using hand tools for long periods

Why Does My Elbow Hurt if the Problem is with my Wrist?

The golfer’s elbow involves a muscle in your forearm that connects to your wrist on one end and to your elbow at the epicondyle on the other. The epicondyle is a large bump on the elbow that anchors several muscles and tendons. When you overstrain this muscle, the tendon at the elbow end often gets damaged. This causes pain when the muscle pulls on your hand.

Doctors often use the term “Golfer’s Elbow” to describe inner elbow pain, even when the exact cause isn’t clear. It can result from overuse or strain. However, sometimes the pain appears without any obvious reason. Even if tests like an MRI or ultrasound don’t show specific damage, a doctor may still diagnose Golfer’s Elbow based on symptoms alone.

If testing reveals a specific injury, the doctor will give a more precise diagnosis. However, if your pain seems to come out of nowhere, don’t be alarmed if the doctor doesn’t order more tests. There’s a lot of mixed information online, but in many cases, the exact cause of Golfer’s Elbow is unknown.

Golfers Elbow Treatment

First, give your arm some rest. Doctors suggest resting your arm for at least six weeks before returning to sports or activities that strain it. Other treatments include:

• Applying ice to your forearm
• Taking anti-inflammatory medication
• Wearing a brace on your forearm
• Wearing a night splint
• Attending physical therapy

If the pain from the golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) continues, you might need some additional treatments. Such as:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Prolotherapy, where a natural irritant is injected to help your body heal
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections

Duration of Golfer’s Elbow

Many sources online say Golfer’s Elbow lasts about two years. However, this information is outdated and based on people who didn’t take steps to heal their condition. Your Golfer’s Elbow will last until your body heals the injury. This may have been developing for months before you noticed it.

Your lifestyle is likely causing the injury to persist because it keeps getting re-injured faster than it can heal. For the pain to go away, you need to address the underlying issue. Once you identify and correct the cause, your body can heal. You can return to your normal activities without the problem recurring. Properly addressing the issue is key to recovery.