What to Know About Swimmer’s Elbow

Many a backstroker knows all too well the pain of swimmer’s elbow; repetitive strain on the tendons that run inside the elbow can lead to inflammation and pain and keep you out of the pool.

But what is swimmer’s elbow and how can you prevent it or get it to move along if it’s already started?

What Is Swimmer’s Elbow?

Also known as tennis elbow, baseball elbow, or golfer’s elbow, swimmer’s elbow is a common injury that may be related to simple overuse or technique flaws. Swimmer’s elbow, more specifically called medial epicondylitis, is described as inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the humeral medial epicondyle—that’s the bony bump on the inside of the elbow.

Some athletes, particularly tennis players, also sometimes have pain related to the tendon that attaches to the lateral epicondyle, which is the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. This issue tends to be less prevalent among swimmers because of the way most swimming strokes put pressure on the inside of the elbow joint, but it’s possible for you to develop pain at either juncture.

Overuse of the tendons that connect the humerus bone (the long one that runs from the shoulder to the elbow) to the radius and the ulna (the two bones that run the length of the forearm from the elbow to the wrist), is the primary cause of swimmer’s elbow.

Symptoms of swimmer’s elbow include:

• Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, which may intensify when swimming, gripping items, or lifting anything heavy
• Swelling
• Redness or warmth to the touch
• Stiffness of the joint
• Weakness or an inability to properly grip or lift objects
• Pain when fully extending or flexing the wrist

If you’ve got swimmer’s elbow, one of the first things your doctor will likely recommend is taking a break from swimming to give your tendons time to heal. Ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are also commonly advised for injuries that involve inflammation, as they can help bring down swelling and pain.

Depending on how severe an injury you have, you may benefit from physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the tendon that’s painful. In more extreme cases, injections might be in order. For example, a cortisone shot can provide fast pain relief and swelling reduction, but you can only get a limited number of those into a specific joint over your lifetime, so be sure to talk over your options carefully with your doctor.

Platelet-rich plasma or Botox are newer injections that are sometimes used to treat tendon injuries such as swimmers’ elbow. And dry needling, a technique in which the provider pierces the damaged tendon in multiple places can also help stimulate regrowth and recovery. In the worst cases, surgery might be indicated.

In addition to resting and following your doctor’s orders, it’s always a good idea to work with a coach who’s skilled at analyzing and correcting stroke mechanics. Getting a good assessment of what you’re doing in the water and how that might be putting excess strain on your elbow tendons can reduce the chances that you’ll develop swimmer’s elbow in the first place or get reinjured when you return to the water after such an injury.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so make sure you’re properly warmed up before intense training, and gradually ramp up your training volume rather than trying to do too much all at once. It takes a while for your body to adapt to a new routine, so if you’ve been increasing your yardage, it’s generally best to keep those increases modest—usually 10% per week is best to prevent injury and allow your body time to integrate the increased stress you’re loading into your tendons, muscles, and joints.

If you’re struggling with swimmer’s elbow, don’t just keep swimming in pain. Talk to your coach or a physical therapist about technique drills and strength training options that might help and visit your health care professional for evaluation and support. With the right rest and recovery, you may well be able to get back to pain-free swimming in short order.