Healthy Piano Playing

Elbow pain - Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Overview

'Golfer's Elbow' is characterized by pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow at a point called the medial epicondyle, hence its medical term Medial Epicondylitis. Pain can also spread into the upper or lower arm. The tendons which are attached to the flexor muscles originate from the medial epicondyle, and 'Golfers’ elbow’ can be associated with overuse of the flexors (excessive curling of the two end finger joints - the DIPs and PIPs - which are activated by the flexor muscles).

Pianists with golfers’ elbow may also experience weakness in the forearm, particularly in flexing the wrist or fingers, and difficulty in fully straightening the arm. Pianists with perceived weakness may try to overcompensate for the weakness by bracing the elbow to produce a louder sound, which further exacerbates the problem.

Medial epicondylitis can also be linked with tension and pain in the biceps.

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