Exploring the differences between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow as well as the symptoms, causes and treatments for each.
Exploring the differences between golfer's elbow and tennis elbow as well as the symptoms, causes and treatments for each.
Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. A transcript is available in Simplecast.
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Welcome back to Get Fit Guy, this is your host, Kevin Don. I have noticed that a few questions/ topics keep showing up in my inbox and one of these is elbow pain. So, bearing in mind that I am a coach (and also, in a crisis of personal identity, a philosophy student) and not a medical professional and that even if I were, an email diagnosis would be very hard, lets get started. What could this elbow pain be? Well, the most common things are either golfers elbow or tennis elbow.
Differences Between Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow
Golfer's elbow and tennis elbow are common conditions that cause pain around the elbow. Despite their names, these injuries are not only confined to golfers and tennis players; they can affect anyone who performs repetitive arm, elbow, or wrist movements. Usually, they are both overuse injuries. So, we may see them in beginners who are not yet used to the volume of that motion in their new sport. We can also see them in seasoned athletes, who are practising so much that their volume exceeds the maximum recoverable dose. Understanding the differences between these two conditions, their causes, symptoms, and treatments, can really help your recovery!
Golfer's Elbow
Definition and Anatomy
Golfer's elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis (for all you listeners that love it when I use some latin), is characterized by pain and inflammation on the INNER side of the elbow, that is: the side CLOSEST to your body when your arm hangs naturally. It occurs where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony area (called the medial epicondyle) of the elbow. This condition primarily affects the tendons involved in flexing the wrist and fingers (flexing here would be when you close your hand into a fist).
Common Causes
Golfer's elbow is normally caused by overuse (too much volume) or repetitive stress, particularly activities that involve gripping, flexing the wrist, and swinging. Common activities leading to golfer's elbow include:
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of golfer's elbow include:
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, which is why I can’t possibly say if a listener has this condition via an email. In a physical exam, the doctor will check for pain and tenderness around the elbow. In many cases, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI might be used to rule out other conditions or to confirm findings.
Tennis Elbow: An Overview
Definition and Anatomy
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, involves pain and inflammation on the OUTER side of the elbow, that is the side furthest away from the body when the arm hangs naturally by your side. This is where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle. This condition primarily affects the tendons that extend the wrist and fingers, which is where you open your hand out flat.
Common Causes
Similar to golfer's elbow, tennis elbow results from overuse and repetitive motions. Activities that can lead to tennis elbow include:
Symptoms
The main symptoms of tennis elbow are:
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a physical examination to check for pain and tenderness on the lateral side of the elbow. Doctors may also use imaging tests like X-rays or MRI to rule out other conditions or to confirm diagnosis.
Differences Between Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow
Location of Pain
Affected Tendons and Muscles
Common Activities Leading to Injury
Symptoms and Pain Pattern
Treatment and Management
Rest and Activity Modification
For both conditions, the first line of treatment typically involves REST and avoiding activities that exacerbate the symptoms. Modifying techniques in sports or occupational activities can prevent further strain on the tendons. I cannot even begin to tell you the number of times I see recreational athletes walking about like robocop with compression sleeves, braces and supports just to go have a game of squash or to a Crossfit class. STOP THIS. You might feel annoyed you cant play golf for a couple of weeks, but trust me, once these tendon issue settle in, they become chronic and are a nightmare to get rid of. Just rest!
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy also can play a crucial role in recovery. A good therapist can design a specific exercise program to strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility. They can also assess your movement to make sure you don’t have any huge mechanical problems and if you do, they can help address those. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the wrist and forearm can help alleviate symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, doctors may recommend corticosteroid injections for more severe pain, although I would make sure to rest and use physical therapy because these I sections can weaken the tendons.
Bracing and Supports
Using braces or supports can help alleviate symptoms by reducing stress on the tendons. Wrist splints or elbow straps are commonly used for both golfer's elbow and tennis elbow. I’m not a huge fan of these because you are not fixing the underlying problem. You dont need a brace to go play a recreational game. You need to rest, fix the issue causing the pain and the conservatively return to enjoy your sport.
Advanced Treatments
For chronic or severe cases that do not respond to conservative treatments, more advanced options may be considered, usually these would be surgical interventions. Usually avoidable if you rest and fix the root cause!
Preventive Measures
Proper Technique and Equipment
Using proper techniques in sports and occupational activities can significantly reduce the risk of developing golfer's or tennis elbow. Ensuring that equipment, such as tennis racquets or golf clubs, are appropriate for the individual's strength and skill level can also help. It can be tempting to buy the same equipment your favourite professional athlete uses, but also may be totally inappropriate for you.
Strengthening and Stretching Exercises
Regularly performing exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility can prevent these conditions. Warm-up exercises before engaging in repetitive activities are also beneficial. You may have noticed I generally do not give out programs on the show, that is because the needs of the many are not the needs of the one. I believe in an individual approach. So, go see someone that will give you a program tailored to your needs. Or contact me, I have only ever had two people contact me about training, which is a surprise. One of them, I lost his email in my inbox, so I you are listening, then sorry. The other had a call where he was telling me how he was going to be training. Thats not how it works. You dont call the doctor up and tell them what meds he will be prescribing.
Ergonomic Adjustments
Making ergonomic adjustments at work, such as using ergonomic tools and maintaining proper posture, can reduce strain on the forearm muscles and tendons.
To conclude this week’s episode: Golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are conditions that come about usually from repetitive strain on the tendons around the elbow, albeit they affect different areas and muscles. While their symptoms and causes share similarities, the primary distinction lies in the location of pain and the specific tendons involved. Effective management of both conditions involves rest, physical therapy, proper technique, and in some cases, medical interventions such as medications, bracing, or surgical treatments. By understanding the differences and taking preventive measures, you can reduce your risk of developing these painful conditions and maintain an active lifestyle and playing the sports you love.
If you have any questions or would like to just say ‘hi’, please email me on getfitguy@quickanddirtytips.com
Get-Fit Guy is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Thanks to the team at Quick and Dirty Tips Morgan Christianson, Holly Hutchings, the director of podcasts Brannan Goetchiss and Davina Tomlin. I’m your host, Kevin Don. If you have a question for me, leave me a voicemail at 510-353-3104 or send me an email at getfitguy@quickanddirtytips.com. For more information about the show, visit quickanddirtytips.com, or check out the shownotes in your podcast app.