Tennis Elbow vs Golf Elbow: Differences & Best Treatments

Is your elbow acting up after golf or tennis? Here’s the clear breakdown of tennis elbow vs golf elbow — no fluff.

Elbow pain can stop your serve or golf swing in its tracks. Two common overuse injuries you’ll hear about are tennis elbow vs golf elbow — and while the names sound like they’re sport-specific, both conditions can affect anyone who overuses their forearm muscles. Understanding the key differences, the symptoms to watch for, and the best ways to treat and prevent these injuries matters whether you’re chasing birdies or aces.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what each condition actually is, how to tell them apart, and how they’re treated — from rest and physical therapy to more advanced care options. We’ll also cover prevention tips tailored to athletes and active people, so you can stay in the game longer and enjoy less pain with every swing or stroke.

What Are Tennis Elbow and Golf Elbow?

Both tennis elbow and golf elbow are forms of epicondylitis, which means irritation or small tears in the tendons attached to the bony bumps on the elbow.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Affects the outer part of the elbow. It’s caused by overuse of the forearm extensor muscles — the ones that help you lift your wrist and straighten your fingers.

Golf Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Hits the inner side of the elbow. This is tied to repeated stress on the flexor muscles that bend your wrist and help grip things.

Despite what the names suggest, you don’t have to swing a racquet or a club to get either condition. Everyday tasks like typing, lifting, gardening, or manual work can also trigger symptoms.

Understanding the Anatomy of the Elbow

To see why these injuries feel different, it helps to know how the elbow works.

Your elbow has two key bony prominences called epicondyles:

Lateral epicondyle – outside of the elbow

Medial epicondyle – inside of the elbow

Tendons connect muscles to these epicondyles. Repetitive use of these muscles — like gripping a golf club or swinging a racquet — puts strain on the tendon origins, leading to micro-tears and inflammation over time.

Causes & Risk Factors

Overuse and Repetitive Movements

Both conditions result from repeated stress on the forearm tendons — the tiny tears add up when you repeatedly bend, extend, twist, or grip without adequate rest. Golf and tennis players are classic examples, but so are people whose jobs involve gripping tools or typing all day.

Sports-Specific Movements

Tennis Elbow: Backhand strokes, forceful racquet swings, or tight grips can contribute.

Golf Elbow: Golf swings, especially with poor wrist alignment or grip mechanics, stress the inner forearm muscles.

Non-Sport Triggers

Heavy lifting, using tools like screwdrivers, painting, or even repeated typing can cause these conditions. Age also plays a role: tendon resilience decreases over time.

Rehab matters: address sudden volume spikes in your swing, not just the pain.
@Fit_For_Golf ⛳

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

What Happens to the Tendon

The extensor tendons — especially the extensor carpi radialis brevis — attach on the outer elbow. Overuse can cause small tears and inflammation. This is why tennis elbow is common in racquet sports, but can also occur in desk workers and craftsmen.

Typical Symptoms

  • Pain on the outside of the elbow
  • Tenderness when lifting the wrist or gripping objects
  • Difficulty holding a coffee cup or shaking hands
  • Weak grip strength

Pain may start mild and gradually worsen over weeks or months. Letting it progress without modifying activities often makes it worse.

Golf Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

Tendon Impact and Pain Patterns

Golf elbow involves the flexor group — muscles that bend the wrist and help grip objects. These tendons attach on the inner side of the elbow.

Common Symptoms

  • Pain on the inside of the elbow
  • Pain that may radiate down the forearm
  • Weakness in grip strength
  • Possible numbness or tingling in the pinky/ring fingers in more severe cases

Unlike tennis elbow, symptoms are worst when bending the wrist toward the forearm or making tight grips in flexed postures.

Diagnosis: How Medical Professionals Confirm It

Doctors mainly diagnose epicondylitis through a physical exam. They’ll look at:

  • Pain location
  • Which movements trigger symptoms
  • Specific strength and resistance tests
  • Sometimes imaging like ultrasound or MRI to rule out other injuries

Accurate diagnosis helps tailor the right treatment path.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Rest & Activity Modification

Reducing or modifying motions that aggravate pain is essential — whether that’s adjusting your golf or tennis technique or taking breaks from repetitive tasks.

Ice, Bracing & Pain Relief

  • Ice packs applied 15–20 minutes at a time help reduce inflammation.
  • Counterforce straps or braces can take pressure off tendons during activity.
  • Over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) may relieve pain in the short term, as advised by a physician.

These simple measures often improve symptoms over weeks to months.

Physical Therapy & Rehab Exercises

A physio program can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Stretching & Flexibility

  • Extensor stretch for tennis elbow
  • Flexor stretch for golf elbow

These help improve mobility and reduce tendon stress.

Strengthening

Eccentric exercises — where muscles lengthen under load — are particularly effective for tendon healing.

Guided Moves

Using tools like resistance bands, FlexBars, and targeted wrist strengthening helps rebuild tendon capacity and forearm strength.

With consistent physio, many patients see improvements within 4–12 weeks.

Advanced & Medical Treatments

When conservative care isn’t enough, doctors may consider:

Corticosteroid Injections

These can provide short-term pain relief but aren’t usually a long-term solution.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP delivers growth factors to the injured tendon to boost healing, with mixed evidence but promising long-term results.

Shockwave Therapy

This non-invasive option can stimulate tendon healing in chronic cases.

Surgery

Reserved for persistent pain after ≥6 months of conservative care. Surgical repair often brings significant relief but requires recovery time.

Prevention Strategies

Whether you love golf or tennis, these tips help lower your risk:

Warm-Up Routines

Light wrist and forearm stretches before play reduce strain.

Technique & Equipment

Proper grip size, swing form, and swing mechanics make a big difference.

Strength & Conditioning

Forearm strengthening and periodic rest between sessions keep tendons resilient.

Recovery & Timeline Expectations

Most people improve with conservative care over several weeks to a few months. For both tennis elbow and golf elbow:

  • Mild cases may resolve within 6–12 weeks
  • Persistent issues often take 3–6 months of therapy
  • Surgery is rare but effective when needed

Slowly reintroduce sport after symptoms ease to avoid flare-ups.

FAQs

1. How can I tell if it’s tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?

If pain is on the outside of the elbow and worsens when extending the wrist, it’s likely tennis elbow. Inner elbow pain that increases with wrist flexion points to golf elbow.

2. Can non-athletes get these injuries?

Yes — repetitive work tasks, typing, gripping tools, and other daily activities can cause both conditions.

3. What’s the best exercise for elbow tendon pain?

Eccentric forearm exercises and specific wrist flexor/extensor stretches work well, usually guided by a physio.

4. How long until I can play again?

Many see improvement in 4–12 weeks, but full recovery may take several months with consistency.

5. Should I try a brace?

Braces can help reduce tendon strain during activity and provide relief while healing.

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