Medial epicondylitis is sometimes referred to as Golfer's Elbow - not because only golfers get the problem, but because the golf swing is a common activity that can cause the problem. There are many other activities that can result in medial epicondylitis - such as chopping wood, running a chain saw, and using many types of hand tools for extended periods of time. Each of these activities uses the same muscles and can result in medial epicondylitis when these muscles are overused.

The Anatomy of the Medial Epicondyle
The muscles of the forearm that pull the wrist down are called wrist flexors. These are the muscles on the palm side of the forearm. Most of the muscles that are wrist flexors join together and attach to one main tendon at the elbow. This tendon is called the common flexor tendon. It attaches to the inside bump of the elbow called the medial epicondyle, more commonly know as the "funny bone". As the wrist is flexed or the hand used to grip, the muscles contract and pull against the tendons. For example, the force placed on the flexor muscles during a golf swing pulls on the tendons at the medial epicondyle.

The Cause and Painful Effect
The most common cause of Medial Epicondylitis is repetitive use, other causes could be due to one single occurrence in which the tendons were pulled so forcefully that fibers in the tendons were torn from the bone. Regardless of the cause, the effect is that the tendons connecting your inner forearm muscles to the medial epicondyle have been pulled or torn and damaged to varying degrees. The continued pulling of the muscle from the bone creates increased damage and thus more pain in the elbow.

How the L*Bo Aid can help relieve the pain associated with Medial Epicondylitis
The L*Bo Aid provides constant pressure to the tendon that connects the muscle to medial epicondyle, thus not allowing the muscle to separate from the bone any more than it has. Over time and once any further tearing has ceased, the L*Bo Aid will facilitate the healing of the muscle-bone connection. Once your elbow pain subsides you should continue to wear the L*Bo Aid to prevent reinjury.

For the best results it is recommended that you decrease the amount of activity that you normally perform for at least three weeks. Wear the L*Bo Aid at least 6 hours per day and ice the inside of your elbow for 60 minutes per day in three 20 minute sessions.