Elbow condition

Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Singapore

Golfer’s elbow is pain at the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow, where the muscles that curl the wrist and grip anchor to the bone. Like its better-known counterpart on the outer side, the name misleads — most people who have it have never played golf, and it is a worn, under-capacity tendon rather than an inflamed one. But the inner elbow is a far busier place than the outer: the ulnar nerve runs in a groove immediately behind that bump, and the ligament stabilising the joint attaches nearby. Which of the three is causing your pain is the first and most important question.

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Is it golfer’s elbow? Check the signs

Tap any that apply to you — this is guidance, not a diagnosis, but it helps sort out what is causing inner-elbow pain.

Pain on the inner side of the elbow, sometimes tracking down the forearm Tender to press on one bony point on the inside of the elbow Worse gripping firmly, curling the wrist, or turning the palm downwards Provoked by pull-ups, rows, carries, throwing or a golf swing It began after a change — a new training programme, more golf, a new tool Tingling or numbness in the little and ring fingers — have this checked

The crowded inner elbow — and what actually loads it

Three structures sit within a couple of centimetres of one another, which is why naming the right one matters:

The tendon — golfer’s elbow itself — the anchor for the muscles that curl the wrist and turn the palm down, degenerated rather than inflamed, giving pinpoint tenderness on the bony bump and pain with gripping.
The ulnar nerve — immediately behind it — running in a groove a centimetre or two away, and irritated alongside the tendon in a meaningful share of cases. Tingling in the little and ring fingers is its signature. More: cubital tunnel syndrome →
The stabilising ligament — attaching nearby — in throwers especially, inner-elbow pain raises the question of the ligament that holds the joint steady against throwing forces. More: elbow ligament sprains →
Gym work, more than golf — pull-ups, rows, deadlifts, kettlebells and heavy carries are the commonest triggers, along with climbing, throwing sports, carpentry and repetitive screwdriving.
When it really is golf — usually the trailing arm, and often linked to hitting the ground behind the ball or gripping the club too tightly through the swing.
A change in load — as with any tendon, the trigger is typically something that changed: a new programme, a jump in volume, a new tool or technique.

Signs & symptoms of golfer’s elbow

Pain at the bony point on the inner side of the elbow
Sharply localised tenderness when you press that spot
Pain running down into the forearm with use
Worse gripping firmly, curling the wrist, or turning the palm down
Provoked by pulling exercises, carries, throwing and golf swings
Grip feeling weaker, largely because gripping provokes the pain
Stiffness first thing that eases as the arm warms up
Pins and needles in the ring and little fingers — that is the nerve, not the tendon

What to do now — and what to stop doing

The principle is the same as for any troubled tendon: reduce the provoking load without stopping, then rebuild the tendon deliberately. Ease off the specific movements that light it up — heavy gripping, pulling exercises, wrist curling, repetitive palm-down work — while keeping the arm in use. In the gym that usually means modifying rather than abandoning: lighter loads, straps to reduce grip demand, swapping to neutral-grip variations, and dropping the exercises that provoke it most for a while. Then begin a progressive strengthening programme for the wrist flexors, which is the treatment with the best evidence behind it. Look hard at what changed just before it started, because that is usually where the fix lies. Two things worth flagging: if the little and ring fingers tingle, the nerve behind the tendon needs assessing in its own right rather than being lumped in with the tendon; and expect improvement over months rather than weeks, since this side tends to be a little slower than tennis elbow.

Where are you with it?

The right step depends on what is going on — tap the one that fits:

Golfer’s elbow treatment, step by step

Golfer’s elbow treatment is built around load — with one extra question the outer elbow does not raise:

Sorting out which structure — examination locating the tender point, testing resisted wrist curling, and checking the ulnar nerve and the stabilising ligament, which sit within centimetres of the tendon.
Adjusting the load — modifying training and work rather than stopping: lighter loads, straps to reduce grip demand, neutral-grip variations, tool and technique changes, and grip size in golf.
Progressive strengthening — the core of treatment. A structured programme rebuilding the wrist flexors’ capacity, guided rather than guessed, over months. More: physiotherapy →
A brace or strap — worn below the elbow to reduce the pull on the tendon during activity; helpful for managing day to day rather than curative.
A shockwave programme, in stubborn cases — considered where a proper loading programme has stalled. The evidence on the inner elbow is more mixed than at the heel or shoulder, so it is offered case by case and always alongside the strengthening. More: shockwave therapy →
Treating the nerve where it is involved — where the ulnar nerve is irritated alongside, it needs its own plan, since settling the tendon alone will not resolve the tingling.
A targeted injection or surgery, rarely — an injection may settle pain enough to allow loading, and surgery to remove the degenerate tendon is reserved for the small number who do not improve after a proper programme. More: golfer’s elbow release →

Golfer’s elbow myths, busted

Tap each card to reveal the truth:

Protecting the inner elbow

Increase pulling volume, carries and grip work gradually rather than in jumps
Use lifting straps to reduce grip demand on heavy pulls
Vary grip position rather than repeating one loaded pattern
Build forearm and grip strength so the tendon tolerates more
Check club grip size and swing technique if golf is the trigger
Warm the forearm up before throwing, climbing or heavy pulling
Have tingling in the little and ring fingers assessed separately

Golfer’s elbow FAQs

What is golfer’s elbow?

It is a problem with the tendon anchoring your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow — the muscles that curl the wrist and turn the palm downwards, and which work hard every time you grip something firmly. As with tennis elbow on the opposite side, the traditional name ends in “itis” but a long-standing case is not an inflamed tendon so much as a degenerated one, where the tissue has failed to keep pace with what is being asked of it. It is noticeably less common than tennis elbow, and it sits in a more crowded part of the elbow, which shapes both the assessment and the treatment.

Do I have to play golf to get it?

No — most people who have it do not play golf at all. The pattern that causes it is forceful gripping combined with wrist curling and turning the palm down, which shows up far more often in the gym than on the course: pull-ups, rows, deadlifts, kettlebells and heavy carries are classic triggers. So are throwing sports, climbing, carpentry and trades involving repetitive lifting or driving screws. When golf genuinely is the cause, it is usually the trailing arm, and often related to hitting the ground behind the ball or gripping the club too tightly.

Why does my little finger tingle as well?

Because the ulnar nerve runs in a groove immediately behind the bony bump on the inner elbow — within a centimetre or two of the tendon that is causing the pain. That proximity means the two problems commonly occur together, and a meaningful share of people with golfer’s elbow have some ulnar nerve irritation alongside it. Tingling or numbness in the little and ring fingers, or weakness of grip out of proportion to the pain, points to the nerve rather than the tendon. It matters because the nerve needs its own assessment and its own treatment, and treating only the tendon leaves half the problem unaddressed.

How is it different from tennis elbow?

The mechanism is the same idea on the opposite side, but the differences are practical. Golfer’s elbow is several times less common, tends to be slower to settle, and sits in a much busier neighbourhood: the ulnar nerve runs directly behind it, and the ligament that stabilises the inner elbow attaches close by. So inner-elbow pain requires a more careful sorting-out than outer-elbow pain does — tendon, nerve or ligament — particularly in throwers, where the ligament is a serious consideration. The core treatment principle is shared: rebuild the tendon’s capacity with progressive loading rather than simply resting it.

How long does golfer’s elbow take to settle?

Expect months rather than weeks, and often a little longer than tennis elbow takes. With a structured loading programme most people improve substantially over roughly three to six months, though a stubborn case that has been going on for a year may take longer still. Progress is not linear — good spells and setbacks are both normal, particularly if training or work load is increased too quickly. What prolongs it most is the familiar cycle of resting until the pain settles, returning at full load, flaring, and resting again. A graded programme that steadily rebuilds tolerance is what breaks that.