Golfer’s Elbow Test

The Golfer’s Elbow Test is an orthopedic assessment for medial epicondylitis. It is an overuse injury resulting from microtrauma of the wrist flexor and pronator muscle origins at the medial epicondyle of the elbow. The test helps distinguish this condition from other causes of elbow pain and guides targeted treatment.

Medial Epicondylitis Test, Golfer's Elbow Test

How the Test is Performed

  • Client position: Seated or standing, forearm supinated (palm up), elbow extended or slightly flexed.

  • The examiner palpates the medial epicondyle and then instructs the client to actively flex the wrist against resistance (try to bend the wrist toward the forearm while the examiner resists).

  • Some protocols add resisted forearm pronation or gripping as additional provocative maneuvers.

  • A positive test: Pain or tenderness at the medial epicondyle during resisted wrist flexion or pronation.

Clinical Significance

  • A positive sign for Golfer’s Elbow Test indicates irritation or tendinopathy of the flexor-pronator tendon origin, supporting the diagnosis of medial epicondylitis.

  • Should be performed in context with case history and other physical findings; consider ruling out nerve entrapment and other elbow pathologies.

Assessment

  • Use this test when clients have pain/tenderness at the inside of the elbow, worsened by gripping, wrist flexion, or pronation.

  • Document symptom severity, location, and changes with testing to guide massage planning and monitor progress.

Treatment

  • If positive: Avoid deep friction or aggressive work directly at the medial epicondyle to prevent further tendon irritation.

  • Focus manual therapy on gentle soft tissue release of the forearm flexor-pronators and myofascial work, combined with upstream kinetic chain support (shoulder, upper back, hand).

  • Use techniques such as gentle mobilization, stretching, cross-fiber friction (if subacute/chronic, not in acute stage), and trigger point release for pain modification.

  • Educate clients about activity modification (avoid repetitive gripping, heavy wrist flexion, or forceful pronation until symptoms resolve), home exercises, and ergonomic/postural corrections.

Safety and Referral

  • Refer to a physician/physiotherapist if the pain is persistent, severe, associated with weakness, swelling, or does not improve with conservative management.

  • Avoid provocative manual therapy in cases of acute swelling, marked tenderness, or nerve symptoms.