Both are tendinopathies related to overuse/overloading. The difference between the two is the tendons which are involved:
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral epicondylitis): affects the wrist extensors that attach on the outside of the elbow (Tennis players tend to over use their wrist extensors during shots).
- Golfers Elbow (Medial epicondylitis): affects the wrist flexors that attach on the inside of the elbow (golfers tend to over load their wrist flexors during the swing).
WHO: Anyone – you do not need to play tennis or golf – only 5 out of 100 people actually get tennis elbow from playing racquet sports.
Tennis elbow is a common condition that affects about 1-3% of the population (about 4 to 7 cases per 1000) every year.
It’s the most common cause of persistent elbow pain, accounting for two-thirds of cases. It affects women and men equally, and those affected are mostly between the ages of 35-54.
CAUSE: It often happens after overuse or repeated action of the muscles of the forearm, near the elbow joint- usually with gripping and wrist movement – for example:
- using hand tools repeatedly (gardening shears, screwdriver or scissors)
- using tools while decorating, plumbing or bricklaying
- activities that involve fine, repetitive hand and wrist movements (typing or sewing)
- activities that involve repeatedly bending the elbow (playing the violin)
- playing racquet sports (tennis, badminton or squash) or sports that involve throwing (javelin or discus) or golf.
SYMPTOMS:
Localised pain at either the inside or outside of the elbow
Worse with:
- When gripping small objects, such as a pen
- Reaching for a glass/mug
- Lifting or bending your arm
- When twisting your forearm, such as turning a door handle or opening a jar
- You may also find it difficult to fully extend your arm.
Tennis and Golfers elbow can last between 6 months to 2 years, but a full recovery is made within a year in 9 out of 10 cases. However, treatment by a Physiotherapist can help reduce this time frame.
DIAGNOSIS: This is made through a physical examination and a subjective history taking.
On examination we would expect to find:
- Pain on palpation of the epicondyles
- Pain with specific resisted movements
- Pain worse with and extended arm and repetitive movements
TREATMENT:
Tennis elbow will get better without treatment (a self-limiting condition), but there are treatments that may improve symptoms and speed up recovery.
- You should rest your injured arm and stop any activity that’s causing the problem.
- Physiotherapist would give advice regarding activity modification, stretching and a graded loading programme.
- Some tape and bracing can help.
- Acupuncture is also another treatment option.
- Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment to help relieve pain and promote healing in the affected area.
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