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Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are two similar conditions that occur when the tendons in your elbow get damaged due to excess stress. The main difference between the two conditions is that golfer’s elbow affects tendons on the inside of your elbow and tennis elbow affects tendons on the outside.
These conditions are both caused by overuse and muscle strain. When excess stress is repeatedly put on the tendons in your elbow, it can leave tiny tears in that tissue and cause pain and weakness.
Despite the names for these conditions, they don’t only affect golfers and tennis players. They can be caused by a variety of activities involving repeated stress or forceful motions of the wrist and fingers. That includes:
- Racquet sports
- Weight training
- Using plumbing tools
- Using screwdrivers
- Using a computer mouse
- Painting
- Insufficient stretching or improper technique during athletic activities
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Pain on the outside of your elbow.
- The pain may radiate to your forearm and wrist
- Pain and weakness may make it difficult to grasp objects or make a fist
Common symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:
- pain on the inside of your elbow
- Pain may extend along the inside of your forearm
- Stiffness
- Pain when making a fist
- Numbness that may spread to the ring and little fingers
- Rest
- Ice packs
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physiotherapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery to remove damaged tissue
Physiotherapy can provide a comprehensive and non-invasive solution to help you fully recover from these conditions as soon as possible. Our physiotherapists can provide custom treatment plans that incorporate a variety of therapies, including:
- Exercises and stretches that relieve pain and improve flexibility
- Activity modification and training to prevent injuries in the future
- Functional braces that can support and protect your elbow while you heal
- Pain-relieving therapies including:
- Massage therapy
- Acupuncture
- Interferential current therapy (IFC)
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Laser therapy
- Ultrasound therapy
- Properly warm-up and stretch before and after exercise
- Ensure you are using the proper form and technique for athletic activities
- If your job involves lots of arm bending, take regular breaks
- Do exercises to strengthen your forearm muscles
If you think you may be dealing with a case of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, you should get it checked out. Getting a custom treatment plan from an experienced physiotherapist is the best way to ensure you recover quickly and completely.