Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)

An 18 yrs old club-level badminton player came with the complaints of pain in his left elbow 2 weeks ago. It was during a local competition that he started having some dull aching pain until the final mixed doubles match that he could not tolerate the pain and had to avoid smashing. His coach had warned him that he needed treatment but he complained that the clinic was too far away and needed the sleep instead.

"I told you so", said coach Lim. He did however win the match as they were a better pair. The inner part of the elbow (medial epicondyle) was really sore and the forearm flexors (in front of the arm) was also in spasm. It was as if he had only trained on smashing and nothing else for a week. I wished he did not have 'cubitus valgus' which increased the risk of developing the injuries (cubitus valgus - elbow joint with the forearm turned outward).

Nevertheless, he was quite please after I sent him to the physiotherapist for some 'muscle release'. The following day the anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxants and 2 sessions off training helped relieve the pain and swelling. He could even carry his groceries and start some 'stroke-play'. I cautioned him that if he returned too soon to normal training and failed to complete his rehabilitation exercises he would be back very soon.

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