How is tennis elbow different from golfers elbow?
Pain in the elbow is one of the most common orthopaedic complaints. The elbow becomes sore, and pain often radiates from the elbow down the forearm. Simple motions, such as picking up a container of milk, can result in discomfort. Activities like tennis and golf, where the forearm is used in repetitive, swinging motions, are well known to be a cause of pain. “Golfer’s elbow” or medial epicondylitis refers to pain over the inside of the elbow. “Tennis elbow,” refers to pain on the lateral, or outside of the elbow. Many other activities that require repetitive lifting or twisting of the forearm, in addition to golf and tennis, can cause the same type of tendon inflammation. Treatment of tennis or golfer’s elbow consists of resting and icing the affected area, anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin or Aleve and sometimes the wearing of a supportive brace. If these conservative measures fail to provide relief, a cortisone injection in the elbow can often decrease the inflammation.
