Elbow

Medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow)

Mechanism

Overload of the common flexor tendon at the medial epicondyle, from repeated forceful flexion of wrist and fingers or repeated valgus load in throwing.

Recognition

Tenderness on and just distal to the medial epicondyle, and pain on resisted wrist flexion. Always also test the ulnar collateral ligament and the ulnar nerve in its groove.

Course

Considerably less common than the lateral variant. The ulnar nerve runs just behind it and is involved in a proportion of cases, which explains tingling in the ring and little finger.

Structures

• Flexor Carpi Radialis
• Pronator Teres (humeral head)
• Ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow

Joints involved

• Elbow joint

Clinical tests

• Elbow valgus stress test

Sources

• Cook J, Rodas G, McCall A, Pruna R, Kennedy R, Til L. Tendon injuries in football players: FC Barcelona 2021 tendon guide. The diagnosis and management of lower limb tendinopathy. FC Barcelona Innovation Hub. Barcelona. 2021
• Magee DJ, Manske RC. Orthopedic Physical Assessment, 7e editie. Elsevier. 2021