Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: Diagnosis and Treatment

Elbow pain is common for individuals who perform repetitive movements of the hand, wrist, or forearm. The two most common pain conditions occurring are Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow. Though their names may originate from popular sports, the conditions affect office workers, laborers, athletes, homemakers, and others who repeatedly grip, lift, type, or twist their wrist. Both injuries deal with the overuse of the tendons but affect different sides of the elbow and might be treated slightly differently. Knowing the difference will provide appropriate timing in identifying the right problem and selecting the best recovery plan.

What is Tennis Elbow? (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Medically, tennis elbow is referred to as lateral epicondylitis, a condition that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. These are the tendons that help facilitate wrist and finger extension. With the repeated use of these tendons, and without appropriate rest, minute tears develop, which in turn bring about irritation, inflammation, and pain.

The condition is often seen in people who have to use their wrist a lot. Though common amongst tennis players due to repeated extension of the wrist, many non-athletic people are afflicted with it. Pain often starts as mild discomfort and in due course becomes so severe that most daily activities become impossible or difficult to do.

Common causes include:

• Racket sports like tennis or badminton
• Carpentry, hammering, or drilling
• Prolonged hours of typing or doing computer work
• Weightlifting
• Repetitive gripping activities

Symptoms specifically related to tennis elbow include pain on the outside of the elbow, which may be worse when lifting an object, shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or tightly grasping anything. Symptoms may also include morning stiffness or diminished grip strength.

Both conditions occur because of repetitive forearm and wrist motions, commonly seen in sports, heavy lifting, typing, carpentry, and other repetitive work.

What is Golfer's Elbow? (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. The tendons involved help support flexion of the wrist-that is, in bending the wrist and fingers. Activities that create repetitive strain or poor technique related to flexion at the wrist lead to inflammation and microscopic tearing of the tendon.

This usually occurs in someone who forcefully bends the wrist or who repeatedly performs gripping actions. While common in golfers, this can also be related to many everyday activities.

Common causes include:

• Golf, baseball, or other throwing sports
• Bowling
• Weight Training with Poor Form
• Manual labor, such as painting or plumbing
• Tight and repetitive grasping of tools

Symptoms include pain on the inside of the elbow, weakness in the forearm, and discomfort when trying to grip anything. Sometimes symptoms may include tingling or numbness as a result of irritated nerves. Pain may also increase when lifting things or flexing the wrist.

Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: Key Differences

While both conditions arise due to overuse of the tendons, they involve different tendons and movements. Knowing the differences helps one to understand which of these conditions you could be suffering from.

1. Location of Pain

• Tennis Elbow: Outer side of the elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow: Inner side of the elbow

2. Tendons Involved

• Tennis Elbow: Wrist extensor tendons
• Golfer’s Elbow: Wrist flexor tendons

3. Painful Movements

• Tennis Elbow: Wrist extension, gripping, lifting
• Golfer’s Elbow: Wrist flexion, throwing, forearm rotation

4. Common Trigger Activities

• Tennis Elbow: Typing, racket sports, carpentry
• Golfer’s Elbow: Golf, baseball, weightlifting

Such differences also allow the doctor to diagnose the condition with accuracy and choose the appropriate method of treatment.

Patients usually notice pain when gripping objects, lifting, twisting the wrist, or shaking hands, which helps doctors identify the affected tendon.

Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow & Golfer's Elbow

Most diagnoses of these conditions depend on physical examination and history taking and sometimes imaging tests. This ensures that you get the best treatment at the right time.

Physicians perform a physical examination first, which determines the exact pain point, tenderness, strength of grip, and movements that increase the pain. Pain on the lateral side usually indicates tennis elbow, while pain on the inner elbow may suggest golfer's elbow.

Your relevant medical history will be important as well. The doctor may enquire about your occupation, your sporting activities, repetitive tasks, and duration of symptoms.

Imaging studies that may be ordered by physicians for diagnosis include the following:

• X-ray: Useful primarily to exclude fractures or arthritis.
• Ultrasound: diagnosis of tendons inflammation.
• MRI - if there is chronic or severe injury to the tendons.

Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed with specific clinical tests like Cozen's test, while golfer's elbow is typically diagnosed from specific resisted flexion tests.

Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow

Most cases improve with non-surgical treatments when started early. The aim of the treatment is to reduce pain, heal the tendon, and improve forearm strength.

Rest & Activity Modification

By just resting the tendon and lessening activities that may cause the pain, it will heal naturally. During the early stages of recovery, also avoid repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting.

Application of Heat or Ice

Both temperature therapies play a role:

• Ice: Useful for the first days to decrease swelling and inflammation.
• Heat: Useful for chronic pain and morning stiffness

Medications

Doctors may recommend:

• NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Naproxen
• Pain-relieving creams or gels

These relieve the discomfort but do not cure the problem in the tendon.

When pain persists, doctors may recommend shockwave therapy, PRP injections, or steroid injections, depending on the severity and the patient's needs.

Physiotherapy

The best treatment options include physiotherapy, which enhances flexibility, tendon strength, and stability of the forearm.

Treatment typically involves:

• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening routines
• Soft tissue massage
• Forearm mobility training
• Grip strengthening exercises

Braces & Supports

Braces reduce the pressure on the involved tendons.

• Tennis Elbow Strap: Supports extensor tendons
• Golfer's Elbow Strap: Supports flexor tendons. They are particularly helpful either at work or while playing sports.

Shockwave Therapy

It works for chronic conditions when ordinary physiotherapy does not work. It helps to break scar tissue and promotes healing.

Injections

• Corticosteroid injections: provide temporary relief
• PRP: Platelet-rich plasma; stimulates natural tendon healing.

Surgery (Rare Cases)

• Surgery is considered only when Pain persists longer than 6–12 months
• Non-surgical treatment fails.

There is severe degeneration of the tendon. This process removes injured tissue and enhances healing.

Tennis Elbow Exercises

Exercises will strengthen the outer forearm muscles and reduce pain.

Common exercises include:

• Wrist extensor stretch
• Eccentric wrist extension
• Passive rotation of the forearm
• Softball grip strengthening

Exercises for Golfer’s Elbow

These exercises target the inner forearm and improve tendon flexibility.

These effective exercises include:

• Wrist flexor stretch
• Eccentric wrist flexion
• Pronation and supination training
• Resistance band strengthening

Surgery is rarely needed but may be considered if symptoms fail to improve after 6-12 months of conservative treatment. Minimally invasive tendon release procedures are commonly performed.

Conclusion

While the names sound somewhat similar, tennis elbow and golfer's elbow occur with different tendons and different movements. Most cases resolve without the need for surgery, provided there is appropriate diagnosis, rest, physiotherapy, and strengthening exercises. Early understanding of your symptoms and avoidance of aggravating activities will make it easier to return to work, sports, and life without pain. A structured treatment plan ensures full recovery and prevents recurring injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know whether I have a tennis elbow or a golfer's elbow?

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer's elbow causes pain on the inside.

2. Do the conditions cure themselves?

Mild cases may improve with rest and exercise, but persistent symptoms need physiotherapy.

3. Does it require surgery for treatment?

Surgery is rarely indicated and considered only after 6–12 months of failure of nonsurgical treatment.

4. What activities should I avoid?

During recovery, avoid heavy lifting, repetitive wrist movements, racket sports, and tight gripping.

5. How long does recovery take?

Recovery usually ensues within 6-12 weeks, whereas for chronic states, the time involved may be longer.