Golfer's Elbow: Inner Elbow Pain That Isn't Just for Golfers
Golfer's elbow — medial epicondylitis — sits on the inner side of the elbow and involves the common flexor tendon origin. It causes a deep, aching pain that worsens with gripping, flexing the wrist, or resisted forearm pronation. Like tennis elbow, it affects a far broader population than athletes — desk workers, manual labourers, and anyone who performs sustained grip tasks are commonly affected.
What differentiates golfer's elbow from tennis elbow?
The key distinction is location: tennis elbow is on the outer elbow; golfer's elbow is on the inner. Both involve tendinopathy, but the flexor-pronator group (affected in golfer's elbow) is loaded by different activities — gripping with wrist flexion, throwing, and prolonged computer mouse use are common culprits. Inner elbow pain can also involve the ulnar nerve, which runs nearby, producing numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers.
Treating medial epicondylitis effectively
Treatment follows similar principles to lateral epicondylitis: progressive loading of the tendon, activity modification during the recovery phase, and manual therapy to the elbow, wrist, and cervical spine. The cervical spine component is even more relevant here, as the C8-T1 nerve roots — which supply the medial forearm and hand — are frequently sensitised in persistent medial epicondylitis.
If you're dealing with inner elbow pain in Berwick or across the Casey area, don't wait for it to resolve on its own. The longer tendinopathy persists, the more tissue changes accumulate. Book an appointment at RISE Sports & Spinal and we'll give you a clear loading programme and an honest timeline.
The nerve involvement most practitioners miss in medial elbow pain
The ulnar nerve runs directly adjacent to the medial epicondyle and is frequently sensitised in medial epicondylopathy. Patients often notice tingling into the ring and little finger alongside their elbow pain — a sign that the ulnar nerve is involved, not just the flexor-pronator tendon. When neural sensitisation is present, aggressive tendon loading can temporarily worsen symptoms, and treatment sequencing matters. Neural tissue management — including nerve mobilisation and postural correction to reduce cubital tunnel compression — is often required before the tendon will respond predictably to loading.
For desk workers, tradespeople, and throwing athletes in the Berwick and South-East Melbourne area, medial elbow pain is one of the more complex upper limb presentations to manage because of the layered involvement — tendon, nerve, and often cervical spine all contributing simultaneously. At RISE Sports & Spinal, assessment maps out which structures are driving symptoms at each stage of presentation. Early sessions typically prioritise reducing neural sensitisation and cervical contribution before progressing to structured tendon loading. This sequenced approach reduces flare-up risk and produces more consistent recovery.
Book an initial consultation at RISE Sports & Spinal in Berwick. Clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and a plan that actually gets you better.
