Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylalgia) & Tennis Elbow Treatment

Medial epicondylalgia (golfer's elbow) and lateral epicondylalgia (tennis elbow) are among the most common presentations at this Houghton Estate practice, reflecting Johannesburg's large and growing population of golfers, padel players, tennis players, and desk-based workers. Both conditions are tendinopathies rather than inflammatory conditions, which means that anti-inflammatory medication does not address the underlying pathology and prolonged rest consistently makes the condition worse, not better.

The key driver of both conditions is a tendon that has been loaded beyond its capacity, whether through the repetitive impact of ball strike in racquet and club sports, the sustained grip loading of keyboard and mouse use, or the sudden increase in activity that occurs when someone picks up a new sport. Management at this practice follows the same progressive loading principle as Achilles tendinopathy management (graduated, progressive exercise that rebuilds tendon capacity over a structured timeline) combined with manual therapy, dry needling of the forearm flexor and extensor compartments, and where relevant, biomechanical assessment of grip technique and equipment.

The link between golfer's elbow and golf is explicit: the mechanics of the swing, the impact forces transmitted through the shaft at ball strike, and the grip pressure sustained through the follow-through all load the medial elbow structures in a way that generates tendinopathy over time. Treatment at this practice is co-ordinated with the patient's teaching pro where applicable to address technique alongside tissue rehabilitation.