Muscle guide · Arms
Also called forearm flexors, grip muscles, golfer's elbow muscles
The flexors are the muscles on the palm side of the forearm. Most start from a shared tendon on the bony bump on the inside of the elbow, and their tendons cross the front of the wrist into the palm and fingers.
They bend the wrist and fingers, which is to say they make your grip; two of them also turn the palm down.
| Part | Starts at | Attaches to | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexor carpi radialis | Inner elbow bump (medial epicondyle) | Base of the index-finger bone in the hand | Bends the wrist and tilts it toward the thumb |
| Flexor carpi ulnaris | Inner elbow bump and the back of the ulna | Little-finger side of the wrist and hand | The strongest wrist flexor; tilts the wrist toward the little finger |
| Palmaris longus | Inner elbow bump | The tough tissue of the palm | Bends the wrist; missing in many people |
| Finger flexors (superficialis and profundus) | Inner elbow bump and the front of the forearm bones | Middle and end bones of the four fingers | Bend the fingers: gripping, typing |
| Pronator teres and quadratus | Inner elbow bump; lower ulna | The radius | Turn the palm down |
Golfer's elbow rehabilitation emphasises slow, lowering (eccentric) work for the wrist flexors and pronators.
A tendinopathy where the flexors start on the inner elbow: pain and tenderness there, worse bending the wrist or turning the palm down against resistance. It peaks at 45 to 64, and more than 90% of people improve without surgery.
Source 3
The ulnar nerve can be squeezed between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris, causing tingling in the ring and little fingers that is worse at night with the elbow bent.
Source 2
Each grade rates the evidence for the correction.
More than 90% of cases are not from sport; most are linked to forceful gripping, heavy manual handling and vibrating tools at work.
Source 3
They bend the wrist and fingers, which is what powers your grip; two of them turn the palm down.
Wrist curls, heavy carries and hangs all load the finger and wrist flexors.
A tendinopathy where the flexors attach on the inner elbow. Most cases come from work, not golf, and more than 90% improve without surgery.
Anatomy and movement education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. If you have pain that follows an injury, is severe or getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or swelling, get it assessed. Health disclaimer.
