Pain Treatments
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) Injection
The muscles on the front of the forearm (palm side) originate at the inner elbow and attach to the fingers on the palm side to help close the fingers into a fist. Activities that require repeated and forceful contraction of these muscles can cause trauma to the tendon at the site of origin. This overload can lead to tendonitis. While there can be many causes for this tendon injury, it is best known for the association with golf.
How is a golfer’s elbow injection performed?
The doctor will numb the skin above the tendon at the inner elbow. Then, guided by feel or ultrasound, he will:
Insert a thin needle into the tendon using a technique called “peppering”, which is where the needle is moved rapidly and around the inside tendon.
Inject a mixture of anesthetic (for temporary pain relief) and steroid or platelet rich plasma (for long term pain relief)
The medicines help to block the pain signal, like turning off a light switch. Usually, the procedure takes less than five minutes and you can go home the same day.
How effective is a golfer’s elbow injection?
What are the risks?
What happens after the procedure?
