Do you do a lot of manual work or activities with your arms? Are you experiencing pain in your elbow? If so, it is important that you get it checked out by an orthopedist because you may be suffering from tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. While these two conditions are similar, they are also different in that tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow. If you’re looking for an orthopedic in Ridgewood, NJ, visit us at our New York Sports Medicine Institute Paramus location.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
If you’re feeling pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow, you may have tennis elbow. This condition can make it difficult to proceed with many everyday activities such as gripping objects, turning door knobs, and holding full cups. The pain is felt mainly in the area where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to a “bump” on the outside of your elbow. In some cases, the pain may radiate down to the forearm and wrist.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
This condition is called tennis elbow because it is caused by repeated contraction of the forearm muscles that you use to straighten and raise your hand and wrist, an action commonly done in tennis. However, tennis elbow is by no means exclusively sustained by playing tennis. Examples of common arm motions that can lead to tennis elbow are listed below:
- Tennis – Repeated use of the backhand stroke with poor technique.
- Using plumbing tools.
- Painting.
- Using a screwdriver.
- Cutting (ex. Cooking ingredients).
- Prolonged computer mouse use.
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms
The inside of the elbow is the area affected by golfer’s elbow. If you have a golfer’s elbow, you will feel pain and tenderness where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the ” bump” inside your elbow. Similar to tennis elbow, the pain caused by the golfer’s elbow can sometimes radiate down to the forearm and wrist. Symptoms of golfer’s elbow are listed below:
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow that worsens with certain movements and activities.
- Stiffness and difficulty moving and bending the elbow.
- Weakness in the elbow, hand, and wrist.
- Numbness or tingling in the elbow that may radiate into one or multiple fingers.
Causes of Golfer’s Elbow
This condition results from damage to the tendons and muscles that control the wrist and fingers. This damage is most often caused by overuse and excessive stress resulting from forceful wrist and finger movements. Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is not a condition exclusively caused by the sport it is named after. Any excessive movement or activity using the wrist and inner arm can lead to golfer’s elbow. The risk becomes heightened when poor technique is used. Examples of activities that can cause golfer’s elbow are listed below:
- Golf.
- Racket sports – Tennis, pickleball, badminton, squash. Poor technique, excessive topspin use, or using a racket that is too heavy or too light can lead to golfer’s elbow.
- Throwing sports – Baseball, softball, football, archery, javelin. Overuse of the arm or throwing with poor technique can cause golfer’s elbow.
- Weight lifting – Excessive bicep curls and other exercises that overload the elbow muscles and tendons. Poor technique will exacerbate the risk.
- Forceful and repetitive movements in jobs, including but not limited to plumbing, carpentry, and construction.
Treating Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow At An Orthopedic in Ridgewood, NJ
The treatment options for both conditions are largely similar. Physical therapy may be needed in some cases. Surgery may be required but is rare for both conditions. If you feel like you may have tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow and are looking for an orthopedic in Ridgewood, NJ, visit us at our New York Sports Medicine Institute Paramus location. Treatments for tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are listed below:
- Rest.
- Ice.
- Pain relief medication.
- Elbow brace.
- Physical therapy.
- Stretching.
- Surgery (Only when other treatment methods have been used for six to 12 months and have not been effective).
Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow: What’s the Difference?
The difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow is that tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow is pain on the inside of the elbow. The type of pain, causes, and treatment options are all very similar.
Orthopedic in Ridgewood, NJ
If you think you may have tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow and are looking for an orthopedic in Ridgewood, NJ, contact the New York Sports Medicine Institute today.