Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow
Do you experience pain around your elbow? The elbow is a joint made up of the 2 bones in your forearm, the radius and ulna. The radius is the bone along your thumb side of your forearm and the ulna is the bone along the pinky side of your forearm. There are many muscles and tendons that attach to these bones and can become irritated with overuse.
These injuries are commonly diagnosed as Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) or Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis).
Golfer’s elbow is an irritation or strain over the tendons and muscles that attach to the inside or medial side of the elbow.
Common symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) include:
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow.
- Pain that radiates to the inside of the elbow.
- Pain with grasping and twisting.
- Weakness in the hand and wrist.
- Numbness in the ring finger and little finger.
Tennis elbow is an irritation or strain over the tendons and muscles that attach on the outside or lateral side of the elbow.
Common symptoms of Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) include:
- Pain that radiates from the outside of your elbow to your forearm.
- Tenderness and weakness on the outside of your elbow
- Weakness in the hand and decreased grip strength
- Pain with squeezing something or twisting the forearm.
Physical therapy is highly beneficial and effective for the treatment of golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow. Early intervention is key to getting better, faster.
Your treatment for golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow may include:
- Pain relieving modalities (cold/hot pack, ultrasound, iontophoresis, electrical stimulation)
- Manual therapy
- Trigger point dry needling
- Cupping
- Strengthening and stretching exercises
- Functional activities
- Return to sport exercise and activities
- Kinesiotaping/sport taping