Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: What's the Difference?
Elbow pain can strike anyone, whether you're an avid athlete or someone who simply uses their arms for daily activities. Two of the most common elbow conditions—tennis elbow and golfer's elbow—often get confused due to their similar symptoms and locations. However, understanding the key differences between these conditions can help you identify what's causing your discomfort and seek appropriate treatment.
Both conditions are forms of tendinitis that affect the tendons around your elbow joint, but they impact different areas and result from different types of movements. While their names suggest they only affect tennis players and golfers, these conditions can develop in anyone who performs repetitive arm and wrist motions.
Recognizing the specific symptoms and causes of each condition is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. The sooner you understand what's happening with your elbow, the faster you can take steps to relieve pain and prevent further damage.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, affects the outer side of your elbow. This condition occurs when the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow become inflamed or develop small tears.
The primary muscles involved in tennis elbow are the extensor muscles of the forearm, which help you lift your wrist and fingers backward. When these tendons become overworked or strained, they can develop microscopic tears that lead to pain and inflammation.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The most recognizable symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outer side of your elbow. This pain often radiates down your forearm and can worsen when you grip objects, twist your forearm, or extend your wrist.
Common symptoms include:
- Sharp or burning pain on the outside of the elbow
- Weakness in grip strength, making it difficult to hold objects
- Pain that worsens with activities like lifting, gripping, or twisting motions
- Morning stiffness in the elbow and forearm
- Pain that radiates from the elbow down to the wrist
The pain typically develops gradually and may start as a mild ache that progressively worsens over time. Simple activities like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding a coffee cup can become challenging and painful.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn't exclusively affect tennis players. Any repetitive motion that involves gripping, twisting, or extending the wrist can lead to this condition.
Common causes include:
- Racquet sports like tennis, badminton, or squash
- Manual labor activities such as painting, carpentry, or plumbing
- Computer work involving extensive mouse use
- Cooking activities that require repetitive chopping or stirring
- Age-related wear and tear, most common in people aged 30-50
What Is Golfer's Elbow?
Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the inner side of your elbow. This condition involves inflammation of the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow.
The muscles affected in golfer's elbow are the flexor muscles, which help you bend your wrist and fingers toward your palm. When these tendons become strained or overused, they can develop tears and become inflamed.
Symptoms of Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's elbow pain typically occurs on the inner side of the elbow and may extend down the inner forearm. The pain often feels like a dull ache that can become sharp during certain movements.
Key symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow
- Stiffness in the elbow joint
- Weakness when gripping or flexing the wrist
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers, particularly the ring and little fingers
- Pain that worsens when flexing the wrist or squeezing objects
The numbness and tingling occur because the ulnar nerve runs close to the affected tendons and can become irritated when inflammation is present.
What Causes Golfer's Elbow?
Like tennis elbow, golfer's elbow can develop in anyone who performs repetitive wrist and forearm motions, not just golfers.
Common causes include:
- Golf, particularly poor swing technique or hitting the ground during swings
- Baseball and softball, especially pitching
- Weight lifting, particularly exercises involving the forearms
- Repetitive throwing motions in various sports
- Construction work involving heavy lifting and gripping
- Cooking and food preparation requiring repetitive chopping and stirring motions
Key Differences Between Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Understanding the primary differences between these conditions can help you identify which one you might be experiencing.
Location of Pain
The most obvious difference lies in where the pain occurs:
- Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of the elbow
- Golfer's elbow causes pain on the inner side of the elbow
Affected Muscles and Movements
The muscle groups involved differ significantly:
- Tennis elbow affects the extensor muscles that lift the wrist backward
- Golfer's elbow affects the flexor muscles that bend the wrist forward
Pain Triggers
Different movements tend to aggravate each condition:
- Tennis elbow pain worsens when extending the wrist, gripping objects, or making twisting motions
- Golfer's elbow pain increases when flexing the wrist, making a fist, or performing pulling motions
Treatment Options for Both Conditions
Both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow respond well to similar treatment approaches, especially when caught early.
Conservative Treatment
Most cases improve with non-surgical treatment:
Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms allows the tendons to heal naturally.
Ice Therapy: Applying ice for 15-20 minutes several times daily can reduce inflammation and pain.
Anti-inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy: Specific stretching and strengthening exercises can help restore function and prevent recurrence.
Bracing: Counterforce braces or elbow straps can help distribute stress away from the affected tendons.
Advanced Treatment Options
When conservative treatments don't provide sufficient relief, additional options may be considered:
Corticosteroid Injections: These can provide temporary pain relief and reduce inflammation.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): This treatment uses your body's own healing factors to promote tissue repair.
Surgery: In rare cases where conservative treatment fails, surgical options may be considered to repair damaged tendons.
When to See an Orthopedic Specialist
While many cases of tennis elbow and golfer's elbow improve with home treatment, certain situations warrant professional medical evaluation.
Consider seeking professional help if you experience:
- Persistent pain lasting more than a few weeks despite rest and home treatment
- Severe pain that interferes with daily activities or sleep
- Weakness that doesn't improve with rest
- Numbness or tingling in your fingers
- Recurring symptoms that return after previous treatment
An orthopedic specialist can provide accurate diagnosis through physical examination and imaging studies when necessary. They can also develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific condition and lifestyle needs.
Prevention Strategies
Preventing tennis elbow and golfer's elbow involves making smart choices about how you use your arms and hands during daily activities and sports.
Proper Technique: Whether playing sports or performing work tasks, using correct form reduces strain on your tendons.
Gradual Activity Increases: Avoid sudden increases in activity intensity or duration that can overload your tendons.
Strengthening Exercises: Regular exercises that target your forearm muscles can help prevent injury.
Equipment Considerations: Using properly fitted equipment and tools can reduce unnecessary stress on your elbows.
Regular Breaks: Taking frequent breaks during repetitive activities allows your muscles and tendons to rest and recover.
Take Action for Your Elbow Health
Understanding the differences between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow empowers you to recognize symptoms early and seek appropriate treatment. Both conditions are highly treatable, especially when addressed promptly with proper care.
Don't let elbow pain limit your daily activities or prevent you from enjoying the sports and hobbies you love. Early intervention and proper treatment can help you return to full function and prevent long-term complications.
If you're looking for an orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs, FL, contact Central Florida Bone & Joint Institute today for more information. Their experienced team can provide comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plans to get you back to the activities you enjoy.