Skip to content
Elbow

Golfer's Elbow: inner elbow pain, treated patiently.

Medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow, is pain at the inner elbow from wear in the tendons that flex and pronate the wrist. Like tennis elbow, the large majority improve without surgery, with attention to the nearby ulnar nerve.

Written bySteven J. Lee, MD · Chief of Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital
Last reviewed · May 2026

Golfer's elbow is a wear-and-repair problem of the flexor-pronator tendons where they attach to the inner side of the elbow. It is the inner-elbow counterpart to tennis elbow and, like it, is more often tendon degeneration than active inflammation.

Pain sits over the bony bump on the inside of the elbow and flares with gripping, lifting, and wrist flexion. Because the ulnar nerve runs just behind this area, some patients also have tingling in the ring and small fingers (cubital tunnel), which is checked for as part of the evaluation.

Symptoms

Typical complaints include:

  • Pain and tenderness over the bony bump on the inner elbow
  • Pain with gripping, lifting, or flexing the wrist
  • A weaker or painful grip
  • Sometimes tingling in the ring and small fingers if the ulnar nerve is irritated

How it is diagnosed

The diagnosis is clinical, based on tenderness over the inner elbow and pain with resisted wrist flexion and forearm rotation. Because the ulnar nerve is nearby, the exam also screens for cubital tunnel symptoms, which can coexist and change the plan.

Dr. Lee's approach

As with tennis elbow, golfer's elbow is treated patiently and conservatively, because the large majority resolve with time and a structured physical therapy program. Dr. Lee emphasizes activity modification, eccentric strengthening, and bracing.

Injections are used carefully based on what part of the spectrum the pathology is in. PRP is an option for tendons that are not healing, and surgery to address the degenerated tendon, sometimes alongside an ulnar nerve procedure, is reserved for the small minority who do not improve after an extended trial of conservative care.

Non-surgical treatment

Most patients improve with:

  • Activity modification to reduce provocative gripping, wrist flexion, and forearm pronation
  • A structured eccentric strengthening program
  • A counterforce brace or wrist splint
  • A corticosteroid injection used sparingly or PRP injection.

When conservative care stalls

PRP is sometimes used for those that are in the partial tendon tear phase. Surgery, reserved for the small minority who do not improve after an extended trial, addresses the degenerated tendon and, when the ulnar nerve is involved, decompresses it at the same time.

Recovery timeline

Recovery is usually measured in weeks to months:

  1. Weeks 0 to 6
    Activity modification, bracing, and a structured exercise program. Improvement is gradual.
  2. Weeks 6 to 12
    Progressive strengthening and a graded return to gripping activities and sport.
  3. After surgery (rare)
    Splint for up to 4 weeks, then strengthening over two to three months, full recovery can take 6 months.

What patients commonly misunderstand

Two points to keep in mind:

  • Check the nerve, not just the tendon. The ulnar nerve runs right behind the inner elbow, so tingling in the ring and small fingers may mean cubital tunnel is part of the picture, which changes treatment.
  • It is mostly degeneration. Like tennis elbow, golfer's elbow is more often a worn tendon than active inflammation, so a loading exercise program tends to work better than rest alone.

This page is general educational content authored by Dr. Lee. It is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Every patient's case is different, book a consultation to discuss yours.

Book an appointmentRequest a second opinion
Patient questions

Golfer's elbow, answered.

  • What is the difference between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow?

    They are the same kind of problem on opposite sides of the elbow. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the flexor tendons on the inner side; tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the extensor tendons on the outer side. Golfer's elbow also sits next to the ulnar nerve, so nerve symptoms are checked for.

  • Will I need surgery?

    Usually not. The large majority improve with activity modification, a structured eccentric exercise program, bracing, and injections, though it can take weeks to months. Surgery is reserved for the small minority whose pain persists after an extended, genuine trial of conservative care.

  • Why do my ring and small fingers tingle with this?

    The ulnar nerve runs just behind the inner elbow. When the area is irritated, the nerve can be too, producing tingling in the ring and small fingers. If that is present, cubital tunnel syndrome may be part of the picture, which is evaluated and addressed as part of the plan.

Next step

Inner elbow pain that lingers? A patient, structured approach usually works.

Golfer's elbow is stubborn but usually resolves with activity modification, a structured exercise program, and bracing. Injections are used carefully near the ulnar nerve, and surgery is rarely needed. The evaluation also checks the nerve, which can be part of the problem.

Book via ZocDocView other conditions