Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are terms that can leave anyone with little medical knowledge scratching their head. These are often flung around interchangeably or mentioned in the same breath.
But what makes it especially challenging to tell them apart at the outset is that both conditions affect the tendons in the elbow. While they are related, they are distinct in some ways. Understanding the nuances between the two conditions can help you better explain your symptoms and work with your elbow specialist to find the right solution for you.
Let us explore how tennis elbow differs from golfer’s elbow and discuss where you can get the best treatment for both conditions.
What Is Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons on the outer part of your elbow get inflamed or damaged due to overuse or trauma. Medically referred to as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is common not only among tennis players but also among people whose jobs or daily activities involve repetitive wrist and arm motions, like painters, carpenters, mechanics, and even gardeners.
In addition to pain and a burning sensation along the outer part of your forearm and elbow, tennis elbow often causes weakness that makes it difficult for you to shake hands and grasp objects.
What Is Golfer’s Elbow
By contrast, golfer’s elbow affects the inner elbow. Medically known as medial epicondylitis, this condition can affect not just golfers but also baseball pitchers, weightlifters, or anyone whose sport or occupation involves repetitive gripping or wrist bending.
Along with pain and tenderness in your inner elbow, golfer’s elbow can also cause numbness and tingling in your ring and little fingers.
A Closer Look at Their Differences
It can be easy to muddle up the two conditions, as their symptoms tend to overlap. Here is a simple way to tell them apart: if it hurts when you pick up something with your palm down (like a frying pan), tennis elbow may be to blame. If you feel pain when you turn your palm up or squeeze a stress ball, golfer’s elbow is likely the culprit.
Of course, there is no substitute for seeing an elbow specialist, who can perform a thorough evaluation to pinpoint the underlying cause. They will review your symptoms, conduct a physical exam to determine which movements trigger discomfort, and order X-rays or MRI to get a clearer picture of what is happening inside your elbow. Once they have identified the problem, your elbow specialist will craft a treatment plan to help you move and use your elbow freely and comfortably.
Finding Relief: Treatment Options That Work
In most cases, conservative treatment is all that is necessary to treat both conditions. Rest allows those overworked tendons to recover, while icing the area a few times a day for several days can help tamp down inflammation and pain.
Your doctor may also recommend wearing a brace or strap to take pressure off the affected tendons. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen also help ease inflammation and make daily movements easier.
If these treatments do not help, your elbow specialist may recommend any of these minimally invasive treatments:
- Corticosteroid Injections – These effectively reduce inflammation and offer quick pain relief.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – This treatment involves your doctor extracting a sample of your own blood and injecting it into the injured area to promote faster healing.
- Dry Needling (Needle Fenestration) – In this procedure, your elbow specialist punctures the affected tendon to supercharge the body’s natural healing process.
Surgical intervention is rarely necessary for the two elbow conditions. However, if symptoms continue unabated despite an extensive course of conservative treatments, your doctor may resort to this option. Two surgical techniques are available for both conditions: open surgery and arthroscopy. Which one your doctor will recommend will depend on various factors, such as the extent of the damage and your overall health, among others.
Top-Notch Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow Treatment in Springfield, MA
If you are searching for the best treatment for tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, visit us here at Advanced Orthopedics New England.
Our highly skilled elbow specialists—Dr. Alexander Rondon and Dr. Lili Schindelar—are eager and able to provide you with first-rate, personalized care, helping you break free from pain and get back to doing the things that matter most as quickly as possible.
Take the first step toward moving and living pain-free by scheduling your consultation with one of our skilled providers now. Call us today at (860) 728-6740 or simply use our secure appointment request form to schedule your visit.
We look forward to serving you!
