The most common injuries of the elbow are the result of overuse or injury resulting in inflammation or a condition known as tendonitis.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow are both overuse injuries that are caused by any activity that requires repetitive motion of the arm and wrist. The difference between the two conditions lies in where the elbow is inflamed.
Common symptoms of Tennis Elbow/Lateral Epicondylitis include:
- Pain that radiates from the outside of your elbow and down your forearm and wrist
- Tenderness on the outside of your elbow (May be constant or present with activity)
- Weakness in your forearm or a weak grip
- Pain when you extend your wrist
- Pain when reaching, lifting or when gripping or twitting things or if you play tennis, especially with backhand strokes
* Repetitive motions using forehand/backhand are also common in cooks, painters, carpenters, plumbers or computer/mouse work. You can also get this from everyday chores such as raking, gardening or chopping wood.
Common symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow/Medial Epicondylitis include:
- Pain and tenderness on the inside of your elbow
- Pain that radiates down your arm from the inside of your elbow
- Weakness in your hand or wrist
- Numbness or tingling in your ring and little fingers
- Pain when you grip or twist things as is common in the golf swing
- Pain when you flex your wrist
*Examples that cause this problem include shoveling, gardening and repeated lifting. Throwing and weight lifting sports can also lead to problems.
Getting Help/Physical Therapy
Tennis and golfer’s elbow are not generally considered serious and under most conditions can be managed with rest and ice. However if left untreated symptoms can worsen causing more severe pain and weakening of the wrist and forearms causing poor productivity and performance at work and with sports. Physical therapy can aid in reducing pain and quicken recovery through manual therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises.
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Loudoun Sports Therapy Center (703) 450-4300
We can evaluate you and determine what steps you need to take to return back to your pain free life!
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