Golfer's Elbow vs Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes & Best Treatments

Elbow pain can put a stop to everyday actions. Lifting a pan, shaking hands, or holding a coffee mug may feel almost impossible and hard to handle. Like a lot of things location is really import and depending on if the pain is on the inside or outside of your elbow determines the cause and treatment.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a condition in which pain occurs on the outside of the elbow, or on the side closer to your thumb when your arm is straight out. It’s usually from overusing your hand in extension.

What does tennis elbow feel like? Most people describe a burning or aching pain in the outer elbow. The pain often worsens when you grip objects, twist your wrist, or lift things. Even simple actions, like shaking hands or turning a doorknob, can hurt. This is because you are flexing the wrist and fingers, which strains and stretches the damaged extensor tendons.

What Is Golfer's Elbow? (Medial Epicondylitis)

Golfer’s elbow, medically termed medial epicondylitis, is characterized by pain on the inner side, or pinkie side of the elbow. This concerns the tendons that attach to the inner bony bump of the elbow.

Pain in the inner elbow is the hallmark symptom. This just so happens to be the area of the “funny bone.” When these tendons become irritated from overuse, one feels pain precisely in this spot.

Symptoms include inner elbow pain and tenderness that may radiate down the forearm toward the wrist. You may notice weakening of your grip and stiffness of the elbow. Many experience pain when bending the wrist or clenching the fist, pain in the inner elbow when picking up objects or bending the elbow, and even tingling or numbness in the fingers, especially the ring and little fingers.

Similar to tennis elbow, a person doesn’t have to play golf to develop golfer’s elbow. The name identifies it with a sport, but many activities cause the problem.

Key Differences Between Tennis Elbow And Golfer's Elbow

The most crucial distinction is the site of the pain: tennis elbow occurs on the outside of the elbow. In contrast, golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside of the elbow. This is how you can tell them apart.

Tennis elbow injures the extensor tendons, which are responsible for straightening the wrist and fingers. Golfer’s elbow damages the flexor tendons, which help you bend your wrist and make a fist.

The painful movements are different, too. Tennis elbow hurts when you extend your wrist backward or grasp objects. Golfer’s elbow hurts when you flex your wrist forward or clench your hand.

Tennis elbow is more common than golfer’s elbow. Tennis elbow affects roughly 1–3% of people per year, whereas golfer’s elbow affects a far smaller number. Both conditions are the result of overuse injuries and occur when the same arm movements have been performed too many times without adequate periods of rest. Repetitive stress causes tiny tears in the tendons.

Symptoms: Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow

Although the names sound similar, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow occur at different places on the elbow and have other symptoms. Understanding these differences helps you identify which condition you might have and pursue the proper treatment.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

Tennis elbow has some characteristic symptoms along the outside of your elbow. You may notice:

Pain and tenderness along the outside of the elbow bone
A burning sensation on the outside of the elbow
Weak grip strength
Discomfort in the elbow when lifting objects, even light ones
Difficulty fully straightening the arm
Sore muscles above the elbow, which can worsen with activity
Pain with twisting of the wrist (as if turning a screwdriver)
Pain when shaking hands
Morning stiffness in the elbow

The pain often begins mild and slowly increases over weeks or months. You may not remember a particular injury that started it.

Golfer's Elbow Symptoms

Golfer’s elbow exhibits symptoms on the inside of the elbow. Common indications include:

Pain in the inner elbow
Tenderness at the bony bump on the inside
Weakness when gripping or squeezing objects
Pain radiating down the forearm
Stiffness when bending the elbow
Tingling or numbness in the ring and pinky fingers
Pain when making a fist
Discomfort while flexing the wrist
Increased pain following gripping activities

Initially, it may be intermittent, but over time it typically worsens with activity and improves with rest. Over time, without treatment, it can become a constant ache.

Common Causes: Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow

While both of them are overuse injuries, they involve different movement patterns and muscle groups. Knowing which activities could be triggering either might help you to identify what precipitates your pain and allows you to avoid further straining.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow results from repetitive wrist extension and gripping. It often originates from the following activities:

Sports:

Tennis and other racquet sports (serving and backhands)
Swimming (some strokes)
Weight lifting with poor form

Work:

Wall/ceiling painting
Typing on a keyboard for long periods of time
Practice using hand tools (hammers, screwdrivers)
Plumbing
Carpentry

Daily Activities:

Extensive use of the computer mouse
Gardening and raking
Long periods of knitting or crocheting
Playing musical instruments

Can tennis elbow occur with golf? Yes. Golfers can develop tennis elbow from their swing, especially the backswing, which can strain the outer elbow tendons. This is often surprising to people, as golf is more closely associated with the other elbow condition.

What Causes Golfer's Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is caused by repeated wrist flexion and grasping. Common contributing factors include:

Sports:

Golf, especially when hitting the ball and during follow-through
Baseball (pitching and throwing)
Bowling
Throwing the javelin
Rock climbing

Work:

Construction work
Plumbing
Carpentry
Assembly line jobs
Jobs involving lifting loads repeatedly

Daily Life

Wood chopping
Leaf raking
Frequent use of hand tools
Carrying heavy bags or groceries

Age also plays a role in both ailments: tennis elbow generally affects people between 30 and 50. In contrast, golfer’s elbow typically develops after age 35.

Is Tendonitis and Tennis Elbow the Same?

The question many people ask is whether tennis elbow is the same thing as tendonitis. The answer is yes and no. Tennis elbow is a specific type of tendonitis. Tendonitis is a general term for inflammation of a tendon. It may take place on any one of the hundreds of tendons that exist within the body. In contrast, tennis elbow is tendonitis affecting the extensor tendons situated on the outside of the elbow. A similar condition exists for golfer’s elbow, a type of tendonitis involving the flexor tendons of the inner elbow. Recent research, however, suggests that these conditions may involve more than just inflammation. Chronic tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow often involve tendon degeneration rather than simple inflammation. Physicians may also refer to this as “tendinosis” instead of “tendonitis.” This distinction makes a big difference in treatment. If it is pure inflammation, rest and ice usually work; however, tendon degeneration benefits from a more active rehabilitation plan with targeted exercises.

Can You Have Both Of These Conditions At The Same Time?

Yes, it is. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow may both occur at the same time when both the inner and outer elbow tendons are damaged. This is rare, however. It’s also possible to develop them at different times. For example, you may start with tennis elbow, then, by adjusting activities to avoid outer elbow pain, you could overuse the inner elbow tendons and later develop golfer’s elbow. Some activities put strain on both sides of the elbow, leading to the possibility of dual conditions:

Baseball pitching – which stresses both areas
Rock climbing (intense gripping and wrist movement)
Manual labor jobs – repetitive motions
Weightlifting performed with poor form

If you are experiencing pain on both sides of the elbow, consult a doctor. Proper diagnosis will provide the correct treatment for each of them.

Action Options: Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow share a similar path to healing: alleviate pain, repair the injured tendons, and reduce the risk of future injury. Most cases resolve without surgery. And the doctors at Action Chiropractic can help almost all people by helping with

1. Chiropractic Adjustments

The doctors at Action Chiropractic of Naperville can adjust the shoulder, elbow, specifically the radial head and ulna, and carpal bones in the wrist, making sure that the joint can move with no restriction and alleviate the pain.

2. Active Release Techniques

Action Chiropractic is Aurora, Plainfield and the Naperville area’s Active Release Technique (ART) experts. Dr. Durnas and Dr. Norgaard have been perfecting their ART techniques for over a combined 20 years, and has worked on the elbows of professional golfers, tennis players, cricket players, and Major League Baseball pitchers. Action and ART are fast and effective.

3. Dry Needling

Using acupuncture needles, the chiropractors can increase circulation, and loosen up the tendons that are causing the tennis elbow. Needles inserted in the forearm and biceps will also help get you out of pain faster.

4.Compression & Braces

Wear a counterforce brace on the forearm just below the elbow. These braces reduce strain on the injured tendons and are commonly worn for painful activities.

5. Cold Laser

The infrared radiation has been clinically proven to reduce pain, swelling and help accelerate the healing process.

6. Shockwave Therapy

This method uses sound waves break up scar tissue and adhesions to stimulate the healing process. It is often effective in cases that are not responsive to other modes of treatment.

7. Rest And Activity Modification

If it hurts, give it a rest. Take it easy on painful activities, but not completely. Just give your tendons time to heal and avoid motions that cause pain. Change your technique or use different tools to reduce the stress.

Physical Therapy for Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow

One of the most effective treatments is physical therapy. A physical therapist will design an exercise program specifically for you.

For Tennis Elbow:

Wrist extensor stretches
Eccentric strengthening exercises, or slowly lowering weights
Activities to strengthen grip
Forearm muscle conditioning

For Golfer's Elbow:

Wrist flexor stretches Warm-up
Isometric wrist exercises
Progressive resistance training
Strengthening the hand and forearm

Physical therapy also commonly includes manual techniques, such as massage or ultrasound, which help your body heal. Your therapist will provide instructions on correct form to avoid re-injury. Most require physical therapy for 6–12 weeks. It is more about consistency than intensity—do your exercises at home every day for the best outcomes.

Advanced Treatment Options

If conservative treatments have not helped after 3–6 months, your physician may suggest the following options:

8. Corticosteroid Injections

Steroid injections may reduce severe pain and inflammation, but relief is usually temporary. Repeated shots may weaken the tendon.

9. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP injections use your own blood to stimulate healing. Your blood is drawn, and then platelets are extracted and injected into the injured tendon. Some studies show PRP may help with chronic conditions.

10. Surgery

Surgery for severe cases of tendinitis is the last resort. It involves removing the damaged tissue and repairing the tendon, which can take several months to recover. Less than 10% of people ultimately need surgery.

Prevention Tips

Prevention of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can be done through:

Warm Up Properly

Always warm up before sports or physical work. Gentle stretching and light activity prepare your tendons for stress. Aim for at least 5–10 minutes.

Use Proper Technique

Learn proper form for your sport or activity. Poor technique adds stress to the elbows. Seek coaching or instruction if needed. Sometimes, minor adjustments make a big difference.

Develop Stronger Forearms

Strong forearm muscles will protect the tendons of the elbow. Exercise regularly to keep both flexor and extensor muscles strong: 2–3 times per week.

Take Regular Breaks

Avoid repetitive activities for long periods. Stop and rest for brief periods every 30–60 minutes; vary your activities whenever possible to avoid overuse.

Use Proper Equipment

Use equipment and tools that fit. For instance, tennis players should choose the appropriate racquet size and grip, while workers should use ergonomic tools. Good equipment reduces strain on your elbow.

Listen To Your Body

Stop activities when elbow pain symptoms appear. Pain is a warning sign; pushing through pain can worsen the injury. Rest when you need it.

When To Take Action?

Make an appointment with us if you feel any of these symptoms:

Pain in the elbow for longer than two weeks
Severe pain that impairs activities of daily living
Numbness or tingling of the fingers
Inability to bend or straighten the elbow
Any visible swelling or redness
Pain that is not improved by rest and ice
Weakness in your hand or wrist

Early treatment ensures faster recovery. One should not wait until the pain becomes unbearable. A doctor will diagnose your condition and tailor a treatment plan. During the visit, your doctor will examine your elbow and review your symptoms. X-rays or MRI scans may be ordered to rule out other problems, such as arthritis or fractures.

Action Chiropractic And Sports Injury Center: No Matter Your Sport, We've Got Your Back.

Differentiating golfer’s elbow from tennis elbow comes down to where the pain is. While tennis elbow targets the outer elbow, golfer’s elbow targets the inner elbow. Both conditions stem from overuse and repetitive movements.
Fortunately, most individuals get relief from rest, icing, and physical therapy, especially when treated early for optimal results.
Do not let elbow pain steer your life. At Action Chiropractic and Sports Injury Center in Naperville, we specialize in sports injuries and overuse conditions. Our performance enhancement approach includes advanced techniques such as Active Release Techniques, dry needling, and customized exercise programs to hasten your recovery.
Call us or check out our website to book your appointment today.