Being 45 years old isn’t easy. I’m not referring to the mid-life crises but rather to the health conditions that a person develops around that age. I felt very lucky until I developed Golfer’s Elbow.
Read On How Ryan Was Diagnosed with Golfer’s Elbow By An Online Doctor!
I started experiencing stiffness and pain in the inner side of my elbow!
Being athletic throughout my life, this was very devastating. Throughout college, I won swimming championships and captained my soccer team throughout college. During my early 40’s, I started playing golf as a hobby. It was very well-suited to my temperament. I excelled at this sport as well. However, recently I started experiencing pain and stiffness in the inner side of my elbow. Specific movements were excruciating.
I thought I had developed a chronic condition such as arthritis!
The stiffness and pain worsened over the next few days. I eventually stopped playing golf because I could not swing the golf club. I thought that I had developed arthritis, and the thought of never picking up the golf club was devastating.
The online doctor at Your Doctors Online diagnosed me with a golfer’s elbow!
Since there was no improvement in my symptoms, I realised that I consulted a doctor. Having irregular work timings, I was unable to see my regular physician. I decided instead to consult a doctor online. Soon discovered a platform called Your Doctors Online and immediately signed up. It was very easy to connect with an online doctor. Within minutes, I was speaking to a board-certified online female doctor. I explained my symptoms in detail. The doctor asked me several questions, including the following:
- Is the pain limited to one arm/elbow only?
- Did I have any injury to the site?
- Is there any swelling at the site?
- Did I play any form of sports such as golf?
- Did the pain worsen while certain specific movements?
I answered all the questions as best as possible. Dr Farrukh told me that I had a golfer’s elbow. I found it amazing how quickly the online doctor could figure out the cause of my symptoms.
It was relieving to find out that I didn’t have a lifelong condition such as arthritis!
The online doctor assured me that the golfer’s elbow occurs due to inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm with the elbow. Repetitive movements such as those while playing golf can lead to such symptoms. Chatting with Dr Farrukh eased my mind.
The online doctor guided me in detail on how to manage a golfer’s elbow.
The doctor reassured me that the golfer’s elbow could go away on its own. She advised me to apply an ice pack several times a day and to take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to manage the inflammation and pain, and rest. I was a little disheartened that I would have to abandon golf for a while but glad at the same time that I would eventually recover. The doctor also advised me about stretching and strengthening exercises that I could do. She informed me that a steroid injection can help relieve the symptoms. A follow up with a doctor in-person was suggested in case my symptoms did not improve in 3-6 months.
It was a great experience talking with an online doctor on this platform. I am at ease knowing that I can get back and speak to a doctor at any time of the day.
FAQs On Golfer’s Elbows Answered By Your Doctors Online Team
Golfer’s elbow is a condition where there is inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm with the below.
1. Stiffness and pain on the inner side of the elbow
2. Numbness and tingling in the fingers
3. Weakness in the wrists
1. Repetitive movements
2. Sports such as golf, tennis, baseball, bowling, football, javelin throwing, and softball.
3. Overuse of the same muscles
4. Weight training
Some measures that may help treat the condition include:
1. Applying an ice pack several times a day
2. Taking a painkiller such as ibuprofen
3. Injection of corticosteroids
4. Strengthening exercises
Surgical options will need to be considered if there is no improvement in 3-6 months.
