What is the difference between tennis and golfer’s elbow?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are conditions familiar to athletes and people who work a lot with their hands. If you’re experiencing severe discomfort when trying to grip, lift or twist objects, one of these conditions might be to blame.
Let’s look at the differences between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow to identify if you might be suffering from either.
What is tennis elbow?
This condition is caused by irritation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow, which can be induced by excessive use of the forearm muscles. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is painful and occurs when the demand on the tendons becomes greater than their ability to repair themselves.
You don’t have to be an athlete to develop this sore condition, with those constantly carrying out repetitive wrist and arm motions also being susceptible. Individuals who work as plumbers, painters, carpenters and butchers are likely to suffer from tennis elbow.
What is golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is very similar to tennis elbow, but affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. The pain is again believed to be caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm.
Some sufferers of golfer’s elbow may experience pain that might spread into the forearm and wrist. This condition is not limited to golfers; as again, athletes and workers who frequently use their wrists or clench their fingers can also suffer from golfer’s elbow.
Symptoms
Since these conditions have similar symptoms, ask yourself which side of the elbow hurts more:
– If it hurts on the inside of your elbow, you may have golfer’s elbow.
– If it hurts on the outside of your elbow, you may have tennis elbow.
Treatment
It’s important to know what condition you suffer from to get the right therapy to relieve it. If you suspect you have similar symptoms to the ones mentioned above, it might be worth visiting a tennis elbow clinic London-based to talk to a specialist who can take a look at your symptoms. You might be offered magnetic shockwave therapy, as part of a tailored treatment plan.
Posted on 6th July 2022