Golfer's elbow

Pain on the inside of the elbow from overloaded forearm tendons.

By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026

The condition

What it is

Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylalgia, is the inner elbow version of tennis elbow. The tendons on the inside of the elbow become irritated from repetitive gripping, lifting or wrist bending, in work or sport.

Signs

Signs and symptoms

Everyone is different, but these are common with golfer's elbow. You may have some and not others.

Pain on the inside of the elbowPain gripping or liftingTenderness over the inner elbowPain bending the wrist against resistanceWeak gripAching into the forearm
Treatment

How physiotherapy helps

As with tennis elbow, the key is graded loading. We settle the irritation with hands on therapy and dry needling, then progress a forearm strengthening program and adjust the tasks that overload it, so the tendon can rebuild its tolerance.

  • Elbow and grip assessment
  • Soft tissue release and dry needling
  • Progressive forearm strengthening
  • Task and technique advice
Book an assessment
A man gripping his forearm
Fees and rebates

What you pay, with or without cover

Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.

Paying privately

No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.

You pay$165No referral needed

With a Medicare plan

A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.

You pay$103.20Up to 5 visits a year

With private health extras

Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds

Usual gap$60 to $100Claimed on the spot

Workers comp & CTP

Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.

You pay$0Billed to your insurer

Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.

Related injuries

Other problems we help with

Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know before you book

Is golfer's elbow treated like tennis elbow?
Very similarly. The painful tendon is on the inside rather than the outside, and the mainstay is progressive strengthening with hands on therapy to settle it.
How much will it cost?
Initial physiotherapy is $165 for 60 minutes and follow ups are $142 for 40 minutes. Approved workers comp and CTP appointments are billed directly to the insurer.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book privately. Referrals are required for Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans and most claim pathways.
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Many problems can be assessed and guided well by telehealth through PACT Virtual Care, with hands on treatment added at the Miranda clinic when it helps.
Guides

Read more on this

Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.

This page is general information about golfer's elbow, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.

Reviews

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Get on top of golfer's elbow

Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.