Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: What's the Difference?

You don’t have to play golf or tennis to develop the painful overuse injuries named after these sports. Whether you’re on the court or at the office, your tendons are vulnerable to the damaging effects of repetitive strain.

Finding relief from elbow pain starts with a comprehensive evaluation at Hammer Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Our team, led by Brian Hamzavi, MD, provides expert solutions to ease symptoms and help you get back to your daily activities.

Though the symptoms may be similar, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are distinct conditions that affect the elbow joint in different ways. Read on to learn what sets them apart, what they have in common, and how to prevent future injuries.

The difference between Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

Both conditions are forms of tendonitis: an inflammation of the thick, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bone. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the tendon that attaches your forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) involves the tendon on the inside of the joint.

Over time, repetitive movements can create tiny microtears in these tendons. But unlike muscles, which bounce back relatively easily from small tears, tendons heal more slowly, leading to a cycle of incomplete healing and re-injury.

Understanding the symptoms and triggers

The mechanics of racket sports and golf can contribute to tendonitis, but they aren’t the only cause. Surprisingly, more than 90% of tennis elbow cases are the result of other sources of daily strain, like household chores. Here’s a look at the symptoms and triggers of each condition:

Tennis elbow

Repetitive “backhand” motions — such as painting, using tools, or even typing at your desk — overwork the muscles that help you lift your wrist and straighten your fingers, placing excessive tension on the tendon where it anchors to the outer elbow. 

The symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Pain in the outer elbow, radiating into the forearm
• Stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion
• Weakness in the forearm and wrist

You might notice your symptoms flare up with movements such as turning a doorknob, lifting a coffee cup, or gripping a steering wheel. 

Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s elbow follows a similar pattern, but involves the muscles on the underside of your arm that help you flex your wrist and grip objects. This condition is caused by repetitive downward or squeezing motions, like you would use to swing a hammer or carry a heavy grocery bag.

With golfer’s elbow, you may experience:

• Pain and tenderness on the elbow’s inner side
• Numbness or tingling in the hand and fingers
• Weakness in the hand and wrist

Though tennis elbow hurts when you lift your wrist, golfer’s elbow pain shows up when you flex your wrist inward or make a fist.

Your next steps

Only a medical professional like Dr. Hamzavi can determine the root cause of your elbow pain to make a definitive diagnosis. In most cases, both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow heal on their own with time and rest, but consider a consultation if the pain persists after a week of rest and ice, worsens over time, or prevents you from getting enough quality sleep.

Depending on the severity of your injury, we may recommend immobilizing the tendon with a brace or treatment options like corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or stem cell therapy. Rarely, minimally invasive surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged tendon and restore strength and function to the joint.

Don’t let tendon pain hold you back from a full, active life. Call or click today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Hamzavi and the Hammer Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine team.