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What is medial epicondylitis?
The medial epicondyle is the funny bone on the inside of the elbow. The muscles that bend the wrist down start at this point. Forceful and repeated bending of the wrist and fingers cause tiny ruptures of the muscle and tendon to this area. Golfing is only one of the causes of pain at this bone. In the golf swing, the flexor muscles and tendons must tighten to hit the ball. Similar tasks that require repeated bending of the wrist, gripping, grasping and turning the hand are common activities that cause medial epicondylitis. Small tears in the muscle begin to heal but when re-injured by continued use, become scarred and become painful.

Symptoms
Symptoms include tenderness and pain at the medial epicondyle, made worse by bending (flexing) the wrist.

Treatment
Antiinflammatory medications reduce inflammation and pain. Resting the sore area prevents further injury while allowing time to heal. A wrist splint holds the wrist in one position, limiting stresses at the elbow. Pain with activity is a sign that irritation is occurring. Try to avoid movements and activities that increase pain. As healing continues different types of exercises are used. Early on, isometric exercises help to maintain muscle mass without over stressing tissue. Later, progressive resistive exercises are used to increase endurance and strength.
Problems can be avoided by taking frequent breaks as you work or play, improving overall arm muscle condition, and limiting heavy pushing, pulling or grasping.
If all else fails, surgery is done to treat golfer's elbow. The tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle are split to reveal the scar tissue. This scar tissue is removed. It takes about 3 weeks to resume light activities and 3 months to resume heavy activities and sports.