Are you dealing with persistent elbow pain and wondering what’s behind it? The elbow is a complex joint made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and nerves—all working together to allow smooth bending and movement. Two key areas are the lateral epicondyle and medial epicondyle—bony bumps on the outside and inside of your elbow where key tendons attach. These tendons help control finger and wrist movements and are common sites for tendinitis.
Two of the most common causes of elbow pain are tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), affecting the tendons on the outer side of the elbow, and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), which impacts the tendons on the inner side. Both conditions stem from repetitive overuse of the forearm muscles and can affect anyone—not just athletes.
At FORM Hand, Wrist & Elbow Institute, we often see a rise in these elbow injuries as warmer weather inspires more outdoor activity—though they can occur any time of year. Because tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow share many similar symptoms, they’re frequently mistaken for one another. Recognizing the key differences is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, helping to prevent chronic pain and speed up your recovery. Here’s a clear breakdown of what sets these two conditions apart.
- Pain Location: Golfer’s elbow usually causes discomfort on the inner side of the elbow, with pain that can extend along the inner forearm. In contrast, tennis elbow affects the outer part of the elbow, and the pain may radiate down the outer forearm toward the wrist.
- Tendon Areas Affected: Tennis elbow involves the tendons connected to the muscles that extend the wrist and straighten the fingers, whereas golfer’s elbow impacts the tendons linked to the muscles that flex the wrist and curl the fingers.
- Common Causes: Despite their names, golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow aren’t limited to those sports. Golfer’s elbow is linked to repetitive wrist flexion and gripping in activities like throwing, golf, and manual labor. Tennis elbow results from overusing the wrist and forearm extensor muscles, commonly seen in sports like tennis and other racket sports, as well as occupations such as painting and butchery.
- Unique Symptom Features: Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow exhibit similar symptoms, including pain, weakness, and tenderness around the elbow and forearm. However, golfer’s elbow may also cause numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, while tennis elbow can lead to difficulty gripping objects or lifting with the affected hand.
Effective Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Fremont at FORM Hand, Wrist & Elbow Institute
While tennis elbow is more common than golfer’s elbow, both can cause significant pain that interferes with daily life. At FORM Hand, Wrist & Elbow Institute, we’ve helped countless patients in the Fremont area find relief from these conditions — and we’re here to help you, too. It all begins with a consultation where we discuss your symptoms, examine the affected area, and provide an accurate diagnosis, followed by a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Since both injuries are caused by tendon overuse or inflammation, their treatment plans often overlap. We typically start with conservative options such as the RICE method, bracing or splinting, activity modification, medications, and targeted hand therapy. However, there are some instances where specific exercises or braces are customized depending on whether the pain is on the medial (golfer’s elbow) or lateral (tennis elbow) side. For more severe or persistent cases, we may recommend injections, and in rare situations where other treatments fail, surgery may be considered.
Don’t let elbow pain interrupt your summer plans. Call (510) 480-3700 or request an appointment online today, and let’s get back to enjoying the season pain-free.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/symptoms-causes/syc-20351987
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/golfers-elbow/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372872