Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are types of injuries that occur in the elbow joint and are often caused by repetitive movements of the wrist and the arm.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is when there is pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bone. It is often caused by overuse of the muscles in the forearm that extend the wrist and the fingers, such as during tennis. Playing tennis is definitely not the only cause. It can also be caused by other activities that involve repetitive gripping and twisting motions of the wrist and forearm. Some examples include:

• Playing racquet sports (e.g., tennis, badminton, and pickleball)
• Using hand tools repeatedly (e.g., gardening shears, screwdriver or scissors)
• Repetitive use of tools (e.g., decorating, plumbing, painting)
• Activities that involve repeatedly bending the elbow (e.g., playing violin)

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) on the other hand, causes pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow (also where the tendons attach to the bone). It is often caused by overuse of the muscles that flex the wrist and fingers. Playing golf can definitely result in golfer’s elbow, but other movements include:

• Playing racquet sports, especially repetitive backhand movements
• Throwing movements (e.g., archery, baseball, bowling, football)
• Repetitive use of tools (e.g., decorating, plumbing, painting)
• Weight training