Tennis
Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and Golfer's Elbow (medial epicondylitis)
are conditions that cause pain around the elbow, often considered as
overload injuries which occur after minor trauma to the extensor muscles
(tennis) or flexor muscles (golfers) of the forearm.
Tennis elbow is inflammation of the extensor forearm muscles, causing pain on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow, and upper forearm pain and tenderness, caused by repetitive stress at the muscle-tendon junction and its origin at the lateral epicondyle.
Golfers elbow is inflammation of the flexor forearm muscles, causing pain on the inside (medial side) of the elbow, caused by repetitive stress at the muscle-tendon junction and its origin at the medial epicondyle.
You may notice pain:
- On the outside of your upper forearm (tennis)
- On the inside of your upper forearm (golfers)
- When lifting or bending your arm
- When gripping small objects, such as a pen
- When twisting your forearm, such as opening a door
- May find it difficult to fully straighten (extend) your forearm
These conditions are usually caused by the overuse of the muscles attached to the elbow and used to straighten/bend your wrist. As the names suggest, it is common in tennis and golf as well as other racquet-type sports such as badminton and stoolball, though people who don't play any sport can also suffer.
It is important to rest the arm and avoid any aggravating activities, although a supportive brace may ease symptoms if you decide to carry on with sport. Icing the area will provide some relief, as will regular massage to the area. Stretching and strengthening exercises are an important part of the treatment process and should be done regularly.
Tennis elbow is inflammation of the extensor forearm muscles, causing pain on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow, and upper forearm pain and tenderness, caused by repetitive stress at the muscle-tendon junction and its origin at the lateral epicondyle.
Golfers elbow is inflammation of the flexor forearm muscles, causing pain on the inside (medial side) of the elbow, caused by repetitive stress at the muscle-tendon junction and its origin at the medial epicondyle.
You may notice pain:
- On the outside of your upper forearm (tennis)
- On the inside of your upper forearm (golfers)
- When lifting or bending your arm
- When gripping small objects, such as a pen
- When twisting your forearm, such as opening a door
- May find it difficult to fully straighten (extend) your forearm
These conditions are usually caused by the overuse of the muscles attached to the elbow and used to straighten/bend your wrist. As the names suggest, it is common in tennis and golf as well as other racquet-type sports such as badminton and stoolball, though people who don't play any sport can also suffer.
It is important to rest the arm and avoid any aggravating activities, although a supportive brace may ease symptoms if you decide to carry on with sport. Icing the area will provide some relief, as will regular massage to the area. Stretching and strengthening exercises are an important part of the treatment process and should be done regularly.
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