Medial epicondylitis, or most commonly referred to as golfer’s elbow, is a condition that causes pain in the area where the tendons of the forearm muscles connect to the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow. The pain caused by golfer’s elbow can spread into the wrists and forearms. Sometimes, the pain can become unbearable enough to necessitate immediate attention from a specialist for golfer’s elbow treatment in Singapore.
Golfer’s elbow is actually a common sports injury that is typically caused by repeated strenuous movements of the arm. However, despite its prevalence, many people still seem to know little about golfer’s elbow. Moreover, it does not help that there are several misconceptions surrounding this pain condition. Like with any other medical condition, a couple of misconceptions about golfer’s elbow are necessary to unlearn. Read on to find out the truth behind the most common myths surrounding golfer’s elbow.
Myth #1: Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are the same
Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow both affect the elbow, so it is common for many people to assume that these conditions are the same. Although the two share similar symptoms and causes, they are completely different. Both golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are caused by overuse and repetition and result in pain along the elbow and forearm.
However, the main difference between golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow is that the former is damage to the inner side of the elbow, while the latter is damage to the outside of the elbow. Furthermore, golfer’s elbow impacts the flexor tendons, whereas the forearm’s extensor tendons are the ones affected by tennis elbow. Both muscle groups control the motion of the wrist, which is why repetitive gripping can exacerbate symptoms.
Myth #2: Only golfers are affected by golfer’s elbow
Despite its name, golfer’s elbow is not a condition exclusively suffered by golfers. As a matter of fact, golfer’s elbow is sometimes more associated with occupational injuries than sports injuries. The injury causing golfer’s elbow is related to the way the elbow moves in connection to the wrists and the force exerted on the elbow when the wrist is flexed.
Although, golfer’s elbow is often attributed to the impact the elbow receives when a golfer hits the ground accidentally on a downward swing, any forceful motion requiring a firm grip while the wrist is flexed can do the same damage. Combining a firm grip with a flexed wrist can place so much stress on the inner elbow if the opposing force is adequately enormous. Eventually, this stress can result in tiny tendon tears that may develop into tendinopathy or tendinitis.
Myth #3: Tear in the tendon is the only cause of golfer’s elbow
Although a tear in the tendon is the most common cause of golfer’s elbow, it is not the only possible reason behind the pain being experienced near the elbow’s medial epicondyle. Sometimes, this pain may be a result of chronic inflammation due to repeated stress. In other instances, the pain may be caused by radiculopathy from the neck. The term “radiculopathy” refers to the pain that radiates down the arm in a particular path because of a dysfunction in the cervical spine.
Conclusion
It is important to unlearn the misconceptions surrounding golfer’s elbow in order to better understand the condition and carry out the most appropriate treatment plan for it. Although golfer’s elbow is not usually a cause of concern, it should still be treated properly because an untreated golfer’s elbow can cause permanent damage, such as limiting the range of motion of your elbow and weakening your grip. So, if you suspect that you have golfer’s elbow, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you are looking for the most effective and trusted golfer’s elbow treatment in Singapore, Affinity Pain Clinic is the specialist that can help you! We offer top-notch and reliable treatments for an array of pain conditions, ranging from golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and sports injury to facial pain, joint pain, and neuropathic pain. We also provide the best of Singapore’s musculoskeletal knee pain treatments for those suffering from conditions like sprains and arthritis.
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