Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow: Close Cousins, Not the Same Injury
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow sound like two very different injuries. In reality, they’re close cousins. Both are tendon injuries in the same joint. If you live in Lafayette or Abbeville, you have likely met someone dealing with one of these conditions. The real difference comes down to location and cause.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow. Doctors call it lateral epicondylitis. It comes from repeated strain on the tendons that extend your wrist and fingers. You don’t have to play tennis to get it. Painters, plumbers, and desk workers get it too. So do pickleball players across Acadiana, where the sport has exploded in popularity.
What Is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow. Doctors call it medial epicondylitis. It comes from repeated strain on the tendons that flex your wrist and fingers. Golf swings can cause it. So can throwing, lifting, and repetitive gripping. Local golfers around Lafayette and Abbeville often develop this condition after ramping up their play.
Which One Is More Common?
Tennis elbow is far more common than golfer’s elbow. According to UNC Health, doctors see five to seven cases of tennis elbow for every one case of golfer’s elbow. Tennis elbow affects about 1 to 3 percent of the general population.
What Causes These Conditions?
Both conditions come from overuse. Small tears build up in the tendon over time. Repetitive gripping is often the cause. Weak forearm muscles can make it worse. Poor form during sports or work adds more strain. We see this often in Lafayette’s oil and gas and healthcare workers. Their hands and forearms work hard every day.
- Repetitive gripping or swinging motions
- Weak or imbalanced forearm muscles
- Poor form during sports or work tasks
- Sudden increases in activity without conditioning
How to Tell Them Apart
Both conditions share similar symptoms. Pain often gets worse with gripping. Some people notice weakness in the hand. Others feel a burning ache that spreads down the forearm.
The location of your pain is the clearest clue. Outside elbow pain usually points to tennis elbow. Inside elbow pain usually points to golfer’s elbow. A physical therapist at our Lafayette or Abbeville clinic can confirm which tendons are involved. Learn more about how we approach tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and pickleball elbow at UnLock Physical Therapy.
How Physical Therapy Helps
Physical therapy works well for both conditions. Treatment often starts with rest and activity changes. From there, a therapist may use manual therapy, targeted exercises, and stretching. Shockwave therapy can help stubborn cases that don’t improve with rest alone.
Patients throughout Lafayette and Abbeville trust our team to diagnose the real cause of their elbow pain. We don’t just guess based on the name of a sport. Every treatment plan is personalized to your activity, your symptoms, and your goals.
When to See a Physical Therapist
See a physical therapist if your elbow pain lasts more than a few days. You should also get checked if it affects your grip, your work, or your favorite sport. Our Lafayette and Abbeville locations make it easy to get evaluated close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow at the same time?
It’s uncommon but possible, especially with repetitive activities that strain both sides of the elbow. A physical therapy evaluation can help sort out exactly what’s going on.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI to diagnose tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Usually not. Both conditions are typically diagnosed through a physical exam and a review of your symptoms and activity history. Imaging is sometimes used if symptoms don’t improve with treatment.
How long does it take to recover from tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Recovery time varies by person and severity. Many patients see improvement within a few weeks of starting physical therapy, though more stubborn cases can take longer.
Not Sure Which One You Have?
Whether it’s tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, or something else entirely, our team can pinpoint the cause and build a plan to get you moving pain-free. Schedule a personalized evaluation at our Lafayette or Abbeville location today.