Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow have one thing in common – they both cause elbow pain. This can come on suddenly and become chronic if left untreated, or appear gradually over time. Different causes, not just the pain location, distinguish tennis elbow from golfer’s elbow. Tennis elbow mostly targets the outside of your arm and golfer’s elbow the inside. Knowing the symptoms, causes and how to treat them can speed up your recovery and prevent it returning.
What Is Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a term for pain on the outside of your elbow. The cause is usually inflammation of the tendon which comes from the wrist and inserts into elbow. It is more technically known as epicondylitis or extensor tendinopathy(1). Tennis elbow can also arise from a variety of other activities. These include heavy lifting (especially if repetitive), typing or twisting actions similar to using a screwdriver.
Tennis elbow is usually a chronic injury that develops from overuse. But suddenly overloading the muscles on the back of your forearm, responsible for hand-raising, can trigger rapid-onset tennis elbow. This acute injury can cause chronic, long-term elbow pain if not suitably rested.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
The main symptom of tennis elbow is elbow pain on the outside about an inch below the bone. This is often accompanied by weakness in the muscles of your forearm and wrist. The result is that simple tasks such as using a door handle, picking up a cup or using a pen can cause a sudden sharp elbow pain and loss of strength. Actions such as typing are more likely to cause a throbbing in your forearm. Turning your arm so the palm is facing upwards is the best way to relieve it.
What Is Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis. It is similar to tennis elbow in that it is an overuse injury that causes elbow pain. But the pain is instead on the inside of your elbow and the result of bending your wrist downwards, or preventing your wrist moving upwards against resistance.
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms
For individuals with golfer’s elbow, downward wrist flexion, especially against resistance, causes pain on the inner elbow. Pain is also felt by twisting your wrist inwards so the palm is facing down. Golf is a good example. Also any underhand throwing action, weight training or repetitive computer work such as using a mouse. As with tennis elbow there may well be weakness in the muscles of your forearm and wrist.
How To Treat Elbow Pain
Whether the cause of your elbow pain is tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow or both, the treatment is the same. If the pain is acute and came on suddenly the first 72 hours involve resting and icing the source. Not doing so can result in the condition becoming chronic which makes it more difficult to deal with. After 72 hours, or if the elbow pain is already chronic, sports massage by a massage therapist has shown to be very effective in treating tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. This involves massage to the source of the pain itself. As well as the muscles of your forearm and upper arm. This will help reduce tension and take the strain off the tendon at the elbow, helping prevent the problem returning.
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