Tennis Elbow versus Golfer’s Elbow

 

Elbow pain is quite common not only in athletes but also in the general population. [1] Two of the most common conditions are extensor tendinopathy and flexor tendinopathy. [1, 2] Anatomically, the muscles that perform flexion of your wrist all attach at the medial (inside) side of your elbow. [1] Conversely, the muscles that perform wrist extension attach at the lateral (outside) of your elbow. [1] The tendons of all these muscles are located directly at the elbow and when irritated it can cause pain to be experienced. [1]

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Tennis Elbow

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Extensor Tendinopathy or Tennis Elbow is a condition that causes pain at the area outside of the elbow due to either repetitive or sustained wrist extension activities. [1] Tennis players will typically experience this condition because of the excessive amount of wrist extension they have to perform from backhand swings. [2] It is also a common occupational injury in workers who spend a large amount of time with their wrist and elbow in an extended position such as electronic manufacturers.

Golfer’s Elbow

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Flexor tendinopathy or golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain at the inside area of the elbow due to repetitive or sustained wrist flexion activities. [1] Golfers commonly have this condition because of how their swings involve a high amount of force into wrist flexion. [2] Similarly with tennis elbow, it is also a common occupational injury for people who have to spend an excessive amount of time with their wrist in a flexed position with the elbow straight.

Treatment

Physiotherapy can be used to assess and treat each of these conditions. One of the main initial goals for treatment is to help settle pain symptoms by off-loading these tendons through activity modification. [2] As with any tendon injury reducing the load is important, but it is crucial to not fully rest it and load the tendons with an optimal amount without causing provoking significant pain. [3] Although fully resting may help alleviate pain symptoms, without any strengthening to the wrist flexor/extensor muscles people typically experience the same symptoms upon returning to their normal activities. An initial exercise program typically involves isometric wrist exercises and grip strengthening. [2] This can then be progressed to eccentric and concentric wrist exercises. [2] Taping or bracing is also used to help off-load the tendons, which reduces severity of pain symptoms during activity. [2]

If you have any further questions regarding tennis/golfer’s elbow, please give us a call at (02) 8411 2050. At Thornleigh Performance Physiotherapy, we can give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment, to help you get back in action as soon as possible. We are conveniently located near Beecroft, Cherrybrook, Hornsby, Normanhurst, Pennant Hills, Waitara, Wahroonga, Westleigh, West Pennant Hills, and West Pymble.

 
 

References

  1. Mcmurtrie, A., & Watts, A. (2012). (vi) Tennis elbow and Golfer's elbow. Orthopaedics and Trauma, 26(5), 337-344.

  2. Hume, P., Reid, A., & Edwards, D. (2006). Epicondylar Injury in Sport. Sports Medicine, 36(2), 151-170.

  3. Rio, E., Kidgell, D., Purdam, C., Gaida, J., Moseley, G., Pearce, A., & Cook, J. (2015). Isometric exercise induces analgesia and reduces inhibition in patellar tendinopathy. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(19), 1277-12783.